Utah Jazz: Paul Millsap valuable but not a franchise changer

That's where I have the disconnect. I can't figure out the economics of the NBA. When a team signs a player to a 1,200 percent raise, revenue doesn't go up 1,200 percent. And the player's production doesn't go up 1,200 percent.

I understand the Jazz wanting Millsap. You don't want another Mo Williams disaster, where a guy becomes an All-Star after you let him get away. But I'd be careful not to overreach.

Next summer there should be a lot of wonderful free agents available. With Carlos Boozer, Matt Harpring and perhaps others off the books, maybe the Jazz could make a run at one of them.

My general rule of thumb is to only get extravagant when you're signing someone who is/will be your best player and who dramatically improves your chances of going places. We already know how far they've gone with Millsap. He's a nice player, well worth pursuing – to a point. But a franchise player?

No more than Kirilenko was a few years back.

email: rock@desnews.com