Utah Jazz notes: Fesenko and Koufos may soon be Orem-bound

With Carlos Boozer likely back from arthroscopic knee surgery, the Jazz will have 15 healthy players — including three who'll be wearing street clothes behind the bench for tonight's game against Atlanta.

That in mind, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said Sunday he'd consider soon sending center Kyrylo Fesenko and/or rookie big man Kosta Koufos to the Utah Flash, their Orem-based NBA Development League affiliate.

"We've got to see where (Boozer) is," Sloan said. "But, you know, these young guys have got to improve. They can't improve sitting there on the bench all the time — and our practices, they're not very tough practices right now."

Guard Morris Almond, whose contract option for next season has not been picked up by the Jazz, also is a candidate for the Flash.

That parent club can't assign more than two of its players to the D-League at the same time, though.

Sloan dodged when asked if Fesenko or Koufos is currently ahead of the other on his depth chart.

"I think both of them has got a lot to learn," he said. "I think they both can play, if they work at it.

"Kosta, he's had a chance to get some minutes he probably wouldn't have gotten if it weren't for (the Jazz injury woes," Sloan added. "But, still, the recognition and different things that come up in a game — where am I supposed to be on this, what am I supposed to do, how do we play on a pick-and-roll — (are lacking)."

MILLSAP FINGER: Jazz power forward Paul Millsap had the pinkie finger on his right hand taped for Sunday's practice.

He aggravated the already-sore finger when struck by David West in Saturday's win over New Orleans but said he'll be good to go tonight.

Millsap also said both of his previously injured knees "feel good," something he attributes to the rest he was able to get during the recent NBA All-Star Game break.

"My body's fine," he said.

MILLER FUNERAL: Sloan said it will up be to individual players whether or not they attend the Friday-night viewing and Saturday-afternoon funeral for Jazz owner Larry H. Miller.

He also said he wasn't sure if he'll hold a morning shootaround before Saturday's game against Sacramento, as EnergySolutions Arena will not be available then because of the funeral.

If he does, the team's morning workout would be moved to its practice facility.

RUMOR MILL: The Jazz likely will retire a number in Miller's honor and may even someday erect a statue in him to stand alongside those of John Stockton and Karl Malone outside of EnergySolutions Arena. … According to Sunday's Boston Globe, Bryon Russell's agent has "called several teams, including Boston, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City and Phoenix," trying to get the former Jazzman back into the NBA. … The New York Daily News reported Sunday that the Jazz and Rockets talked before last week's NBA deadline for dealing "about a Boozer trade, with the Jazz getting Ron Artest and Luis Scola." It never came even remotely close to happening.

E-MAIL: tbuckley@desnews.com