Utah Jazz notebook: Team can wait until Sunday to decide Gaines fate

SALT LAKE CITY — His second 10-day contract expires Sunday, meaning the Jazz soon will have another decision to make.

This time, it's more long-term than short.

The choice: Guarantee rookie point guard Sundiata Gaines for the rest of the season, or return him to Idaho of the NBA Development League and instead bring in another No. 3 point to audition on a 10-day.

"I think we'll use the time we've got allotted (to decide), and sit down with Coach (Jerry Sloan) and talk with him about it," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said Thursday.

Sloan on Wednesday was noncommittal.

"We'll just see what happens," he said before the Jazz's win at San Antonio. "I don't make a decision on anything right now. He's here, and we'll go as if he's gonna be here.

"But he has to work," Sloan added. "He has to work like all the other players, and try to improve himself so he can get the opportunity if it's presented to him."

Gaines didn't play (coach's decision) in Wednesday's win over the Spurs, marking the first time in eight outings since the Jazz signed him to his first 10-day that he hasn't gotten into a game.

In three of the other seven games, he's logged two minutes or fewer.

But the University of Georgia product also logged 21 minutes in his Jazz debut. He's shot 7-for-9 from the field in the last five games he's played. And — no matter what happens — his game-winning 3-pointer against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will go down as one of the most memorable shots in franchise history.

The Jazz, though, seem intent on judging Gaines by his body of work and not just one shot.

"You learn to throw those things out the window when it's over," Sloan, whose Jazz didn't practice Thursday and are off until playing host to New Jersey on Saturday night, said of the shot heard around the NBA.

"It's unusual ... that when guys come into your team with a 10-day contract they even get to play. He's only had a small opportunity since we played the game. Whatever happens, he's got to be ready to step on the floor, like everybody else, and be ready to compete.

"He's a young kid, you know, just trying to find his way around, trying to get comfortable with what we're doing. And we'll just see," the Jazz coach added. (Backup point) Ronnie (Price) has been here a little bit longer, so we'll see how they both do. ... His (Gaines') shot looks good. But only time can tell."