Jazz plan to re-sign Millsap — unless offer's 'crazy'

As Carlos Boozer trade rumors continued to swirl Wednesday, Jazz restricted free agent Paul Millsap negotiated the first full day of the NBA's summer free-agency shopping market.

Much of the interest in Millsap is known to have come from Oklahoma City, which has enough team payroll salary cap space to sign Utah's backup power forward to an offer sheet.

For now, however, caution seems to be the name of the game.

"I think that in this economy, a lot of teams are second-guessing themselves and doing their research to make sure they're making the wise decision," said DeAngelo Simmons, Millsap's uncle and representative.

Even if Oklahoma City and Millsap agreed to terms, the Thunder would face likely competition from the Jazz — who've vowed to match any offer sheet the 2006 second-round draft choice signs with another team.

With starting power forward Boozer, starting center Mehmet Okur and backup shooting guard Kyle Korver all deciding earlier this week to remain with the Jazz for at least one more season, however, there could be a cap to Utah's commitment to match.

One NBA agent said the Jazz will match unless Millsap's deal is "crazy money." Asked if a contract starting at $10 million per season is just that, the agent dubbed it "borderline crazy."

Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor on Tuesday told NBA.com that "we're going to re-sign Paul Millsap unless the number is outrageous," which is a departure from the franchise's initial unequivocal commitment to match.

Millsap is believed to be seeking a multi-year deal starting at $10 million or more, while Boozer — a two-time NBA All-Star and two-time USA Basketball Olympic medal winner — evidently is on the trade block following his decision to opt in for $12,657,233 next season.

ESPN.com on Wednesday reported that "the most frequently cited counter to (the idea of Oklahoma City signing Millsap to a tough-to-match offer sheet) is that the Jazz will match any reasonable offer 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."

O'Connor can't comment on the Jazz's free-agency plans until early next week, when the NBA's collectively bargained moratorium on such behavior expires.

Millsap's reps said more than five teams called shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday. That group includes not only Oklahoma City, but also Memphis and Utah.