Malone is reviewing offers

After enjoying his first full day as a free agent by flying Tuesday from Utah to California, Jazz power forward Karl Malone intends to get down to business today with agent Dwight Manley.

Their plan: To ponder, discuss, weigh and maybe even negotiate the overtures and apparent offers they have received from various NBA teams.

"Karl's going to be in my office all day (today)," the Newport Beach-based Manley said late Tuesday afternoon, "and we're going to meet with teams, conference call with teams, and review the options that have already been presented to us."

Where the Jazz fall into that picture remains rather fuzzy.

The Jazz, who made initial contact with Manley late Monday night, and Jazz owner Larry H. Miller were invited to visit with Manley and Malone in the Los Angeles area this afternoon. Jazz basketball operations senior vice president Kevin O'Connor, though, said Tuesday night that the meeting will not take place today.

"We're looking to set up an appointment and go from there," O'Connor said. "I don't think I can change Larry's schedule. (Today) we'll continue to talk, see what we can arrange."

A face-to-face meeting might not happen until later this week, but O'Connor said the Jazz — including Miller — really do want to get together with Malone and Manley.

"We need to sit down with them and talk," he said.

Suggesting actions speak louder than words, Manley seemed perplexed by the Jazz's stance.

"There's not much I can say," he said. "We'll see what they have to say. I'm very interested to see how they respond."

Manley would not identify which other teams have expressed interest in Malone but said actual offers have been made.

KUTV-Channel 2 reported Tuesday night that Malone will meet with representives of the Lakers today in L.A.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban also has confirmed his club has interest, though the Mavs seem to be targeting Miami's Alonzo Mourning over Malone.

Manley did characterize the interest in Malone as plentiful, sincere and realistic.

"Not only a lot of teams, but some highly aggressive teams," he said. "All successful franchises — very successful."

The Jazz, meanwhile, have not identified any of the free agents they hope to sign.

Nor do they plan to any time soon.

"Everybody I've talked to and am going to be dealing with, and everything we discuss," O'Connor said, "is going to be kept between us."

Utah, though, is believed to have tapped Los Angeles Clippers power forward and restricted free agent Elton Brand as its primary target.

It is expected, however, that the Clippers would match virtually any offer Brand receives, diminishing the likelihood Utah will acquire him.