Wrote ESPN.com's Chad Ford on Monday: "For months it was assumed that Boozer would land in Detroit. But last week Pistons sources told ESPN.com that Boozer wasn't the team's highest priority and that if they pursued him, they weren't willing to give him the $13-15 million a year he's looking for.

"If neither the Pistons nor Jazz offered Boozer a contract, he might be forced to take the mid-level exception from a team — a drastic $7 million pay cut for Boozer next season. That, according to sources, is what is keeping Boozer up at night. If he opts out, he's taking a huge gamble ... one that few GMs expect him to take."

ESPN.com also quoted one unidentified Eastern Conference GM as saying, "As soon as it looked like the Pistons were the only team with the money and desire to pay him, I knew Boozer would be changing his mind. Unless I knew for sure that the Pistons would pay me big bucks, you just can't make that gamble. I fully expect him to be back with the Jazz next year."

Korver will be back.

He had until today to decide, but Schwartz informed O'Connor Monday afternoon that Korver would return.

The 28-year Creighton University product, six-season NBA pro and former Philadelphia 76er will make $5,163,636 next season.

"We are thrilled to have Kyle remain with the Jazz," O'Connor said in a team-released statement. "We appreciate him as both a person and a player and are pleased he has shown a commitment to this organization."

Korver now will become an unrestricted free agent in 2010, when many NBA teams expect to have more summer shopping money than this offseason — unless, that is, he negotiates a contract extension with the Jazz later this summer.

Korver played 78 games last season, averaging 9 points and 24 minutes, despite being bothered by the wrist most of that time.

Acquired in a December 2007 trade from Philly for shooting guard Gordan Giricek and a future first-round draft pick now owned by Minnesota, Korver also hit 38.6 percent from 3-point range while making a team-high 103 treys last season.

Korver's return puts the Jazz's payroll — for now, and counting nine players, including soon-to-sign rookie Eric Maynor — at $52,250,757.

That's below the NBA's projected salary cap of $57,300,00 to $58,600,000 for next season, but leaves the Jazz less than $13 million for four players — including Okur and Millsap — without exceeding the league's projected luxury-tax threshold of $70 million to $72 million.

And if Boozer returns, they'd be right around $65 million — even without deals for Millsap, Okur and a required 13th player.