Utah Jazz: New acquisition Randy Foye speaks on why he chose Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — Randy Foye had options this offseason.

One of the better shooting guards on the free agent market, the six-year NBA veteran had engaged in talks with New York, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and the list goes on.

Every team that needed a shooting guard talked to him, he admitted.

Three-plus weeks into the free-agency period, the soon-to-be 29-year-old chose to sign a one-year deal with the Utah Jazz.

"This was the place (that) wanted me the most," Foye said Wednesday night, moments after arriving at the Salt Lake International Airport from his offseason home of New Jersey.

"I felt," he added, "I could come in and contribute and help these guys."

Asked what specifically he hopes to contribute, the 6-foot-4 Foye mentioned his shooting (he's a career 36.6 percent 3-point shooter), his playmaking abilities and his "toughness on the defensive end."

Somewhere, Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor and coach Tyrone Corbin had to be smiling thinking of that roster addition.

Earning more brownie points with management and fans alike, no doubt, Foye didn't hesitate to describe his 2012-13 Jazz squad as a "playoff team, definitely."

Despite low expectations from many outsiders, the Jazz made the postseason this past spring while earning more respect from Foye.

"I watched them last year," he said. "I'm a big fan of (Paul) Millsap, Big Al (Jefferson), Gordon Hayward. I think he's really good. I'm just excited to get out there and help these guys win."

Making Foye's situation in Utah more comfortable will be the fact he has experience playing alongside two of Utah's main cogs.

Foye was with Jefferson for two years when he began his NBA career with a three-season stint in Minnesota, and he played with point guard Mo Williams for the past year and a half with the Los Angeles Clippers.

"I'm familiar with them guys," said Foye, who also played a season with Washington. "I know they're a big part of this upcoming Utah Jazz team, so I wanted to be a big part of it too."

Ultimately, Foye made a basketball decision to join his former teammates and bring to a close a free-agency mystery that he called "really long" and "stressful." He is the third new player — along with Mo Williams and Marvin Williams — the Jazz have added this month through trades or free agency.

Foye figures to split time in the backcourt with the likes of Gordon Hayward and Alec Burks, and the Villanova product can't wait to put on a Jazz uniform.

"At the end, I just felt as though I wanted to be a Utah Jazz basketball player," Foye said. "When I decided to come here, it was just a no-brainer for me and my wife."

The shooting guard will be formally introduced to Utah Thursday afternoon at a news conference (several hours before the 2012-13 NBA schedule is set to be released, by the way). However, Foye was met at the airport by multiple camera crews and reporters Wednesday — a fact that reflects the high level of Jazz interest in this state.

"This is special here. This is cool," Foye said about his welcoming committee of sorts. "I don't need no balloons. This is enough."

Email: jody@desnews.com, Twitter: DJJazzyJody