Utah Jazz: Free agency rumor mill

A collection of rumors and news at the opening of the NBA free agency period:

From The Detroit News' Chris McCosky: "The Jazz most likely will try to trade Boozer. There has been widespread speculation the (Detroit) Pistons may be a trade partner, with either Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince being part of the package going to the Jazz. However, over the last two days, (Pistons basketball boss Joe) Dumars has indicated his reluctance to move either Hamilton or Prince in a deal for Boozer."

From ESPN.com's Marc Stein: "There is a growing belief around the league that (Milwaukee unrestricted free agent) Charlie Villanueva has moved ahead of (Orlando's) Hedo Turkoglu on Detroit's wish list. Chicago's Ben Gordon remains the perimeter player deeply coveted by the Pistons, but the prospect of a Gordon-and-Villanueva combo would be cheaper than trying to sign Gordon and Turkoglu with their nearly $19 million in projected salary-cap space.

So look for the Pistons to take that approach — or pursue a Gordon-and-Millsap combo — while they also decide between Doug Collins and Avery Johnson as their next coach."

More from Stein: "No one in Oklahoma City is saying so, but rival teams keep insisting that the Thunder are poised to present an offer sheet to Millsap that Utah can't afford to match, given that the Jazz are now projected to be some $3 million into luxury-tax territory next season before even accounting for Millsap after Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Kyle Korver all declined their opportunity this week to become unrestricted free agents. The most frequently cited counter to that idea is that the Jazz will match any reasonable offer to Millsap because they plan to trade Boozer between now and February. Yet as one team official out West notes, any team that deals for Boozer this offseason or during the regular season is 'not going to give up a whole lot' beyond matching expiring deals to Utah since Boozer will now be joining the 2010 free-agent class."

The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal's Ron Tillery: "Millsap and New York's David Lee are highly coveted yet restricted free agents who will have several suitors, including Memphis and Oklahoma City. ... Pursuing Milsap or Lee makes sense for the Grizzlies, considering both players have proven to be effective rebounders, and are young enough to fit (owner Michael) Heisley's three-year plan."

Yahoo.com's" TARGET="_blank">class="bullet-item">Yahoo.com's Johnny Ludden: "The (Oklahoma City) Thunder will likely be conservative with their money: Why throw a big offer at Millsap when they're still trying to figure out what kind of player Jeff Green can become?"

More from NBA.com's Aldridge: "The Jazz may or may not bring back backup point guard Ronnie Price now that they have drafted (Virginia Commonwealth's Eric) Maynor to try and cut down starter (Deron) Williams's load next season."

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