"They shouldn't. They shouldn't. I'm a Jazzman," he said. "Obviously I'm an integral part in getting this team to the level where we are, and hopefully getting us to a championship level.

"Obviously ... I can opt out this summer and sign a six-year deal and stay with my team, which would be a beautiful thing, especially if we're able to keep the pieces around us to have a chance to win a championship. So, it has nothing to do with me wanting to leave Utah. It has to do with stability."

• If he already has told Jazz management and ownership he wants to remain in Utah:

"Absolutely," he said. "We've had great conversations, and that's exactly what we think.

"We haven't talked a great deal — but the conversation that we have had has been about me staying and them wanting me to stay here."

• If he has become a distraction to the team:

"No, I don't think so. ... We already have enough on our plate," he said. "But I really hope not. I wasn't trying to. ... I'm trying to get back healthy so I can help my team win."

• If he'll insist on a raise, as suggested by his "No matter what, I'm going to get a raise regardless" comment to ESPN.com.

"He (the Web site reporter) basically put that in my mouth. Without saying it in so many words," Boozer said. "He used that word (raise). I didn't even use that word. I don't even talk like that."

• If he'd be willing to re-sign with the Jazz while forgoing a raise so they could address other payroll concerns, including re-signing backup Paul Millsap:

"That's something we'll talk about if we have to cross that bridge," he said. "If that's something they need, that's something I will talk to them about. But I haven't had any indication of that at all."

• If he thought the Jazz will trade him later this season because they feared losing him to free agency without recouping anything:

"In every conversation I've had, that's not what they're gonna do," he said. "I mean, obviously we've seen things happen in the past with other teams and in other situations. But I don't have any indication at all that they want to trade me. I don't anticipate that at all."

Boozer suggested his Wednesday comments were not at all scripted but instead came in the course of a "casual conversation" regarding his offseason options.

"I didn't plan on talking about this," he said. "It just kind of happened.

"Next thing I know," Boozer added, "it turned into a big media thing."

As for his knee, Boozer said MRI results have been sent to a Los Angeles doctor for evaluation. Regarding his status for tonight, he said, "I would assume it's 'out,' just because of the way my knee felt (Wednesday)."

The 16-11 Jazz are 8-7 this season without Boozer, who exactly one month ago tonight strained the quadriceps tendon over his left kneecap and bruised his kneecap.

"My focus is to get healthy, as you guys know," Boozer said. "I've been getting treatment all the time. I just want to get back on the court, and help my teammates get us back to being one of the elite in the NBA."

---

E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com