Utah Jazz to share Flash affiliation with Hawks next season

The NBA on Monday announced that the Jazz will share their NBA Development League affiliate, the Orem-based Utah Flash, with the Atlanta Hawks.

The Jazz most recently shared the Flash with the Boston Celtics, who now will be affiliated in the 16-team D-League with the expansion Maine Red Claws.

Atlanta previously shared the Anaheim Arsenal with the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Arsenal are being relocated to Springfield, Mass., next season.

Jazz big men Kosta Koufos and Kyrylo Fesenko both spent time with the Flash last season.

So did shooting guard Morris Almond, a soon-to-be unrestricted free agent who is not expected to be re-signed by the Jazz this offseason.

Koufos, 2009 first-round draft choice Eric Maynor and — if he makes the Jazz roster — second-round selection Goran Suton all will be eligible to be assigned to the Flash next season.

Fesenko will not, because he'll be a third-year pro.

Hawks eligible to be assigned to Orem will include second-year pro Othello Hunter, a forward from Ohio State, and former Wake Forest point guard Jeff Teague, Atlanta's first-round pick in Thursday night's NBA Draft.

Koufos — taken 23rd overall last year — was one of five 2009 first-rounders who had D-League stints last season, along with Alexis Ajinca (No. 20), Donte Green (No. 28) D.J. White (No. 29) and Flash-assigned J.R. Giddens (No. 30) of the Celtics.

Maynor, from Virginia Commonwealth University, was taken 20th overall in Thursday's first round.

MAYNOR TO SIGN: Maynor is expected to sign his rookie contract by midweek, perhaps as early as today.

The deal will be guaranteed for two years, and it's believed he will make $1,318,920 next season.

PARTRIDGE EXITS: The Flash on Monday parted ways with Kent Partridge, their spokesman and chief public-relations representative.

Partridge suggested that his departure was economy-related, saying via e-mail that he was told "they can no longer afford my services."

BOOZER BABBLE: New York Knicks beat writer Alan Hahn of Newsday blogs that, "There is expected to be a strong market for (Knicks restricted free agent David) Lee, who led the NBA with 62 double-doubles, and there are teams with cap space that have an interest. The (Detroit) Pistons could attempt to sign him to an offer sheet if they do not go after (Jazz forward) Carlos Boozer and the (Portland) Trail Blazers are also said to be in hot pursuit but more likely in a sign-and-trade scenario."

E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com