Utah Jazz notebook: Gaines likely to sign for rest of year

SALT LAKE CITY — They'll probably wait until after practice Sunday morning to make their decision known, and they don't have to inform the NBA office until it opens for business Monday.

But the Jazz certainly seemed inclined Saturday to sign rookie point guard Sundiata Gaines for the rest of the season, a decision that must be made because his second 10-day contract expires after today.

"He's carried himself well," general manager Kevin O'Connor said.

"He's done a good job in practice trying to learn what we're trying to do," Coach Jerry Sloan added, "and we like what he's done so far."

Teammates have taken a liking to him, too.

"I think he's done a great job," starting point guard Deron Williams said. "He's coach's type of guy — he doesn't say much, he works hard."

O'Connor repeatedly has said Gaines, a University of Georgia product signed from the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League, will be judged on his "body of work" and not just the recent game-winning 3-pointer he hit to beat LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"The body of work has been good," he said. "Not just the shot.

"I mean, if you look at that game, he really did a good job of trying to guard Mo Williams down the stretch. And he really found people on the pick-and-roll late in the game against Cleveland and the other games he's gotten in."

O'Connor also suggested Sloan's preference for continuity will play a part in the decision.

"Our DNA is that that's what we'd rather do, and that's what coach would rather do," he said. "And my job is to make coach feel comfortable in that respect."

Gaines, for his part, said he felt "confident" about the pending decision. But the 24-year-old was taking nothing for granted.

He said he's still trying to learn the Jazz offense, and acknowledged having his contract guaranteed for the rest of the season would "mean a lot." He's earning a pro-rated NBA minimum $457,588, and if retained will make another $215,336 on top of the $53,834 he's already pocketed.

That compares to a D-League salary of about $19,000.

"Some people say 'Worry about it,' Some people say, 'Don't,' " he said. "For me, I just play basketball. That's what it comes down to for me, and from there everything else will take its course."