Deseret News | Utah Jazz: Blazers may offer Millsap a contract

Reader comments
Utah Jazz: Blazers may offer Millsap a contract

124 comments | Read story

@sgavenman | 10:26 a.m. July 9, 2009

You have a big surprise waiting for you. Artest will destroy the Lakers chemistry. He is not a team player. Good luck watching your team fall apart this year. Last year was a one time deal, and Kobe is now on the downhill slide.

Just Me | 10:29 a.m. July 9, 2009

I personally think all NBA players are overpaid. they make more than doctors and firemen and police officers who actually make a difference in everyday lives. Let Paul get his money for doing his job if its a backup PF or a starter wherever he goes to work (play). Its a job that he wants to get paid to do. id be happy just to make the interest he will get off 8million a year.

pdx fan | 10:33 a.m. July 9, 2009

To the poster who said Portland needs to think about signing Outlaw and Blake. Not a chance, those two are trade bait and if they are still with Portland when their contracts run out they will be shown the door. We love what they did for the Blazers the past few years but we don't see them in the plans for the future championship years.

Comments continue below

With the Cap dropping in | 10:36 a.m. July 9, 2009

2010 and extention talks Aldridge and Roy stalled, Prichard needs a deal. However, POR is going to have big salary problems in 2010. Adding a "toxic" contract for Millsap pushes them over the cap in 2010. POR needs continuity. They have a young team that can beat LA.

Signing Millsap to an expensive long term contract makes little sense when they have legitimate super stars who will be making not much more. They might rent Millsap for a year or two, just to hurt the Jazz.

The Jazz on the other hand need to rebuild and Millsap is nice but not the answer in the long run.

In 2010 70 percent of the teams will be over the cap! Just think of the fire sales and the weak FA market. The Jazz need to pass on Millsap and keep their powder dry. He will not win them a title. They have to start thinking strategically instead of trying to pay more for "continuity".

If Sloan's system can handle getting better players and needs "continuity" then it is time to make a change in Sloan and the system.

Get the best coach, system and players possible. Fans will support.

re: prime time | 10:37 a.m. July 9, 2009

I like your wishful thinking, however it will not happen! Boozer and Miles can go, and we should bring Bosh, then resign Millsap! A.K. can play 4 if we lose Millsap! Hamilton and Bosh to Utah is like thinking Lebron James and Kobe Bryant will play on the same team, which is IMPOSSIBLE!

ed in az | 10:49 a.m. July 9, 2009

To all the KOC haters... All the big money n personnel decisions that have us currently hamstrung were made my Larry Miller... I'm neither a fan or a hater of KOC, but the decisions were made higher up the food chain. There is a great interview where Miller talks about making the Memo/Kirilenko decision while KOC stood in front of his desk..

This could be a | 10:53 a.m. July 9, 2009

negotiation move by Prichard concerning his talks with Aldridge on an extention. Those are stalled over money and the recent signings by other PF are making Aldridge's value go up.

In other words, the Millsap offer is smoke just like OKC.

On the other hand, POR has deep pockets and can pay. If they want to over pay let them.

Prichard has had a bad summer. His drafting was weird at best. Turk biffed him. That offer never made sense to me anyway. It may make more sense for POR to go after Odom if they can free the cap. They also have lots of trade pieces and being under the cap could get them some cheap great players later in the year.

POR needs a back PF but not badly as Outlaw can play back up PF.

TO PRIME TIME | 10:56 a.m. July 9, 2009

Are you kidding of course that trade would work but the Raptors are not that Stupid to trade for AK. Ak is the 7th most over paid player in the league according to ESPN. What the Jazz need is to ditch AK and Milsap to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince, and Rip hamilton and if we need to throw in a Draft pick or kosta
Detroit just lost Mcdyess they need somebody to backup and start. We got to dump AK he is killing us with his contract. I personally still like the trade that would give us T-Mac. We are going to pay the luxury tax regardless so why not pay it for one year rather than two if we hav AK.

Starting 5 with Detroit trade
Memo C
Boozer F
Prince F
Hamilton G
Williams G
Backups
Sign Gooden

Listen up KOC We want to Contend

don | 10:57 a.m. July 9, 2009

Actually Portland will NOT have big salary problems in 2010. They drop another 9 million (Darius Miles) or so off the books in 2010, and have money to resign the players they want PLUS a little room left over if they want to target another FA.

Anonymous | 10:59 a.m. July 9, 2009

if portland wants to pay him 7 + a year...let him go....he's not a championship calibre starter anyway...

dwill and okur are the guys you build around..

Pathetic | 11:00 a.m. July 9, 2009

I wish al you people spent this much time looking at the real things that matter, like politics, the wars going on and the American soldiers dieing out there for some one elses cause, oh yeh and how could I forget the most important thing out there "Real Salt Lake Soccer". Why don't you JAZZ fans focus on somthing that really matters, the real world............

Go REAL

Get Bass | 11:03 a.m. July 9, 2009

From ESPN Mavericks/Marion Story

"The Mavericks on Wednesday also signed free-agent swingman Quinton Ross to improve their perimeter defense and replace the outgoing Wright. Dallas' moves also would appear to make it unlikely that it will try to bring back free-agent forward Brandon Bass."

If Millsap goes they should sign Bass. He produces what Millsap does and might be less..that is if Portland is determined to overpay.

The other factor is maybe portland will just go after Bass and Millsap gets no offer other than from the Jazz. Cheaper.

to stupid smart spurs | 11:04 a.m. July 9, 2009

KOC can't make any moves to get us out of our mess...because nobody wants OUR MESS!!!!!

Millsap's numbers as a | 11:07 a.m. July 9, 2009

back up are a lot weaker than as a starter. He really stepped it up as a starter. But he stepped it down as a back up.

If all the Jazz have to do is replace his back up numbers that should not be to hard. Koufos should be able to do that and Koufos plays better defense with fewer fouls.

AK certainly could match Millsap's back up numbers and play better defense.

If Millsap can perform like a starter for the next 5 years then he is worth more. If he is a back up he is easily replaceable.

At this point the Jazz can replace him as a back up and be just as strong. When Boozer is injured/leaves/traded then the Jazz have a problem. They should have some time to fix that problem unless Boozer gets injured again.

STEVE-O | 11:15 a.m. July 9, 2009

The Jazz should pay Millsap and here's why:
Boozer is leaving next year. He makes $12.4 Million as a starter. You match this offer to Millsap and you're NEW starter is making $7-8 Million for five years.
If you don't sign him you've lost BOTH PF players. Then they're just going to have to pay another guy big bucks to come play here in 2010. It seems like a lot to pay Millsap 7-8 Million now, but in the long run that will be a bargain for a good starting PF.

The only reason not to sign him is if the Jazz don't feel like he can handle the starting role. Which is a concern.

Love Milsap | 11:16 a.m. July 9, 2009

Hey as a player, I love Milsap, but if Portland, makes that kind of offer for a back up power forward, they are crazy. Use up all of their money for their back up and that brings them to 11 players.

Bucher of ESPN says they are making similar representations to Bass of the Mavericks. I think this is all smoke, but if they do make an offer I hate to seem him go, but Jazz would be crazy to match a stupid offer.

@Don | 11:23 a.m. July 9, 2009

you are forgetting about the cap holds.

To the Laker Faker. Kobe's shooting has declined for the last 3 years. Best though is the fact that where ever Artest goes the team blows up even if it is not his fault. There are reasons why HOU did not jump on him and resign him when they knew (and they knew before it was public) that Yao was out for the season.

They did not want it to be the RonRon show and they knew they would lose their season ticket holders.

The ball sticks to Artest. He will kill the movement in the triangle. Gasol will lose shots to Artest and Kobe. Poor old Phil will want to retire. The Laker offensive efficiency will drop next year.

You has better hope Odom signs. POR would be better off to try to get him. LA is a bigger threat to them than Utah.

die hard | 11:29 a.m. July 9, 2009

YOU PEOPLE?
JERRY IS IN CONTROL AND OCONNER WORKS FOR HIM.
ARE YOU SILLY PEOPLE FOR REAL? AK DOES EXACTLY WHAT JERRY WANTS, COME OFF THE BENCH, START, COME OFF THE BENCH, START.
I GUARANTEE THAT AK IS THE SECOND TO LAST PLAYER BEHIND D-WILL THAT JERRY WOULD LET GO!
HE IS SMART ENOUGH TO SEE THAT WHEN AK PLAYS WELL WE WIN AND WHEN HE'S INJURED OR OFF HIS GAME WE DON'T,PERIOD!
I ALSO THINK JERRY LIKES BOOZER EVEN THOUGH HE IS A OLAY DEFENSIVE PLAYER.
20 AND 10 IS A PRETTY GOOD PLACE TO BE IN THE NBA.
AND BY THE WAY BOOZER IS A ABOVE AVERAGE REBOUNDER.
SOME TIMES I THINK YOU FOLKS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASKETBALL COMES FROM BOLERJACK AND THE BOONER.
THE THING NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IS BOOZERS LOYALTY?
HE HAS NONE!
THATS WHY HE'S ALLREADY GONE IN A TRADE OR FREE AGENCY NEXT YEAR.
LISTEN TO ME!
GONE!!!!!!!

TJ | 11:39 a.m. July 9, 2009

If Millsap leaves then I see Koufus getting a lot of playing time at the 4 and 5 and Memo could even play the 4 while Koufus plays the 5.

re: Pathetic | 11:45 a.m. July 9, 2009

*Yawn* what's that you say? So-*yawn*-ccer? Just thinking about the word makes me sleepy with boredom.

Blazers #1 Fan | 12:01 p.m. July 9, 2009

This will make Portland a much deeper bench, if not the deepest. It will help if one of our big men like Pryz, Oden or LA (LaMarcus Aldridge) is in foul touble. He will be a great roll player and bench player to rotate.
Rudy Fernandez, Millsap, Outlaw, Bayless Webster, Oden all off the bench that's scary! Not to mention the starters, Roy, Aldridge, Pryzbilla, Batum, Blake. This team is I think can now seriously contend for the title unilike the Jazz.
Once again Utah Jazz stand around and do nothing while Spurs, Blazers, Mavericks, Lakers all once again make moves and trades. This is why the Jazz will never go anywhere or win a championship,
POR will win the NW Division this year. Utah could be 4th after OKC, but thats just a maybe. I think OKC has a brighter future that the Jazz, hahaha

Random | 12:11 p.m. July 9, 2009

Again, nobody wants to play/live in Utah. You will have to overpay to get anyone to play there. You will have to overpay to keep players there. That is how it is.

Everyone keeps talking about signing the big name free agents (and then blaming the Jazz management for overpaying in the past when they had to do that to get free agents to Utah), but really, which free agents are willing to go to Utah? Not many. Trades and overpaying are the only way to get anyone to Utah. Again, that is the reality.

I would think that if a sign and trade is proposed, Boozer would be the first choice for Portland. They could unload Martell Webster's long-term contract with Travis Outlaw, and then have a ton of cap space next year when Boozer comes off the books. The big question would be whether or not Boozer come off the bench for that one year. Millsap said he would. Either way, it seems a win/win for both teams, as even with a ton of cap space next year, the Jazz won't be able to lure free agents there. Portland can.

King MAN | 12:29 p.m. July 9, 2009

If the utah jazz couldnt win it with stockton and malone and hornacek and russell their not gonna win it with. D-Will (**ALLSTAR** third best at his position behind Chris Paul and Chauncy Billups) ,Memo(worthless),A-K(A-Waste), Boozer(Whiner), Millsap(soon to be overpaid)

Russ Carroll | 12:30 p.m. July 9, 2009

I really don't understand all of this. I love Milsap as much as the next guy, but he's a role player.
Williams + Milsap does not equal a championship caliber team, so why would anyone want to pay Milsap a few million less than Boozer?

If he's healthy (and that's a big if) Boozer is a better player, and makes the Jazz a better team with a legitimate chance to compete.

If you want to make the team worse, then you shouldn't be spending so much to do it! If you wnat to be average then just let them both go and try for a draft pick.
Otherwise, sign them both if possible, go for it next year, and if by mid-season you're out of it, THEN trade somebody before the deadline.

The idea of trading a good player (Boozer) just to get him off the books is flat-out stupid. It makes the Jazz worse...so that they can sign Milsap? Milsap is not going to lead us to a championship. We'd need another big-time player to do that.

???? | 12:44 p.m. July 9, 2009

Is there anyway that the Jazz could get Hibbert? He is more of a true center then anyone on the current team and then the Jazz could move Memo to the starting 4 when Hibbert is on the floor or even to start there when Boozer is gone which would still stretch the floor but give you a post player on offense. What if they tried to trade Millsap for Hibbert and cash? I could see that being a good future and after Memo you still haev Koufus to play the 4 or 5.

Trade O'Conner - He's Useless | 1:04 p.m. July 9, 2009

From the DesNews:

Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor, reached late Wednesday night, was unaware of the development.

"I haven't heard of anything," he said.

This quote pretty much symbolizes O'Conner's tenure here in Utah. He's clueless. Everyone in the West is getting better except the Jazz. Can't we trade O'Conner outta here??????

Watcher | 1:17 p.m. July 9, 2009

Other than a couple of people that post to this sight, there aren't any of you that have a clue about what happens in signing, trading and upper management decisions. DO NOT MAKE THIS YOUR DAY JOB!!!!

@ @ Don | 1:26 p.m. July 9, 2009

Actually, I'm not forgetting about cap holds. I don't have the url, but on a recent convo with Mike Barrett, this issue was addressed - it was demonstrated how it wouldn't be a problem.

The salaries (projected) for each player were listed, although a couple of current Blazers weren't on the list.

The only thing Portland might not be able to do is to keep a guy like Outlaw or Blake. We can live with that.

And btw, from this Blazer fan to the Utah fans...I've always loved your teams...kind of like a closet Utah fan. Stockton to Malone may be the all time classic combo and you've done more with less than anyone in the NBA for years. And Sloan is a fixture.

Miles | 1:28 p.m. July 9, 2009

@Steve-O...You are just kidding, right? With 20 million saved by letting Boozer and Millsap go, we can vastly improve our team at PF and beyond.

DET is eyeing Big Baby | 1:30 p.m. July 9, 2009

which means if they get him they don't need and probably never wanted (no defense, injury prone) Boozer.

Big names | 1:45 p.m. July 9, 2009

The can't get big names and they don't need them. Trying to get them is a the wrong strategy.

The Jazz needs very competent no names. They need talented young players who are cheap but good. Look at POR. They have more talent, a better team, at low cost because they have better management.

When the younger players get to expensive, let them go unless they are world class. Just go get some more developing players.

SA does that with both young and veteran players. They keep the best and rotate the rest. SA, POR,DEN and NO are small market.

The Jazz over pay because L Miller was personally attached to players and because Sloan loves continuity.

I hope that is past and Greg treats the Jazz like a Toyota dealership. Get the best deals, get the best salespeople and management and compete. Rotate if you can get better. That breaks the old culture. If Sloan does not like it he will retire.

You have to rotate the tires even on a Toyota.

Millsap/Boozer are not world class. They are replaceable in Sloan's system. So are Okur and Korver.

TRADES TAKE 2 | 1:50 p.m. July 9, 2009

From the reports about a Boozer trade to Detroit or Chicage and the AK for T-Mac trade, it's obvious to me that KOC IS doing his job. Us posters needs to remember that just like tango, it take 2 to make a trade. KOC can be on the phone 18 hours of the day but until other teams want to play, his hands are tied.

Anonymous | 1:51 p.m. July 9, 2009

I think this offer is bogus. Either this is a ploy by Milsap's agent to try to up his value (which is why KOC hasn't heard about it), or Portland is making the offer in hopes that the Jazz will match and go way over the luxury tax for a role player. Either way, Milsap is a great player worth about 6M a year, but not much more. If the Jazz want to contend they need more talent at the PF than 'Sap.

And Boozer's and CJ's contracts aren't what are killing the Jazz, it's AKs. AK should be getting about the same as Marion which would put us well below the tax threshold. I think AK is a terrific player, but we should have released him two years ago to play in Russia. Both sides would have been better off in the long run.

We'll be fine if we lose 'Sap as long as we can stay healthy. We had one of the deeper benches in the league last year which is the only reason we made the playoffs. Our two best players didn't play together until March.

Mort | 1:53 p.m. July 9, 2009

You read today’s news and see a Jazzman looking at signing to be a back up at a division rival. I love Milsap so I was pretty disappointed to read that but can you blame him -- 7-9 million is A LOT of money.

Good news is there are a lot of free agents out there that produce similar number to Milsap, as many as nine to ten in fact. Will they all work out in Utah as well as Sap, likely not but there are good options. Drew Gooden, Chris Wilcox, Marvin Williams, Hakim Warrick, Brandon Bass, Kleiza, Big Baby, all there and many as unrestricted free agents. The trick is (as always) who can we get?!

If the Jazz choose to spend BIG money I say go for the best player available - David Lee. Minute for minute he is better, bigger, and has more upside to his game. Drew Gooden minute for minute did better last year and could be signed for less. Chris Wilcox is an amazing athlete and could be signed for less too.

There are alteratives to Milsap.

portland | 1:54 p.m. July 9, 2009

is very excited you all are saying let him go. out of 100 blog 1 said too much money. the rest of the fans very excited dont mind paying him.

picture of millie sucks | 1:58 p.m. July 9, 2009

who ever keeps putting that picture up needs to be a unrestricted free agent.

T=Roy | 2:34 p.m. July 9, 2009

Trade Boozer and AK to the Pistons for RIP hamilton and Tashaun prince.

STEVE-O | 2:34 p.m. July 9, 2009

@ Miles:

Who do you suggest the Jazz can go get next year with that money? I'm listening to ideas? And don't say dumb unrealistic names that we both know aren't coming here!

Too bad | 2:37 p.m. July 9, 2009

I love Millsap, he is a Jazz guy. Good person, works hard. However, it isn't a starter, he can't be paid starter money. If Portland does, that is their mistake, Jazz need to be smart about all this.

STEVE-O | 2:38 p.m. July 9, 2009

Everybody is talking about Portland being the team to emulate. I don't see why? They haven't been out of the first round of the playoffs in years, and they have been a lottery team for a while other than last year. They don't have a point guard that will get them anywhere in a playoff series, but aren't looking to change that. And if you look at the way Aldridge performs in the playoffs, it proves he's not a prime time performer. They are a crappier version of the Jazz in almost every aspect.

JJ | 3:07 p.m. July 9, 2009

Millsap works hard on his game and has gotten better every year. Now BOOZ/LOOZ doesn't work hard at anything and has got hurt every year.

BOOZ/LOOZ scores 20 each night because he shots every time he gets the ball and is very selfish. However, he doesn't score 20 each night in the playoffs when other teams guard him. Now Millsap could score 20+ easy, if Sloan actually called plays for him. He gets 13+ just getting garbage and offensive rebounds.

The NBA, ESPN, and 1320 grade players’ way too much on what they score and not the complete impact they have on a team. BOOZER will always be a LOOZER and Millsap a real all-star in a couple of years with the JAZZ or ????

Think about it Millsap doesn’t get plays called for him!

Help!!!!!!!!!!!!! | 3:10 p.m. July 9, 2009

Somebody help Kevin O'Connor say yes to a trade!!!! Everything I read says the other partner is willing, but the Jazz back off. RIP for Boozer straight up was a done deal if KOC pulled the trigger if you believe the Detroit newspapers. Hamilton's career numbers are almost identicle in every category to Jeff Hornacek's. Their style of play is remarkably similar. Who here doesn't want a 2 guard coming off of curls and hitting shots all over the court? Who wouldn't want a league leader in 3 pt. and free throw percentage? He would do everything necessary to open up the inside for Millsap/AK to operate.

JJ | 3:14 p.m. July 9, 2009

How do all you experts know Millsap isn't a started? Are you the same poeple who said, he's only good for about 10 Min, 4pts each night while LOOZER rest. When he starts getting some plays called for him he'll be golden. The best part you'll actually see Millsap take a charge, something you'll NEVER see with BOOZER/LOOZER.

Miles | 3:17 p.m. July 9, 2009

@Steve-O: For 20 million, just name the player you want.

Jazz | 3:31 p.m. July 9, 2009

There's no way the Jazz should let Paul Millsap go. He has been one of the most consistent players for them this past year and has put in the work to get a new contract. He deserves it. Also the uncertainty of Boozer next year means the Jazz need someone to rely on in the case that Boozer leaves. No, Paul Millsap is not a superstar, but he gets the job done.

Trade | 3:47 p.m. July 9, 2009

Rumored three way trade that would send Boozer to the Bulls, Hinrich to Blazers, and Tyrus Thomas to Utah.

www.espn.com/nba

Mort | 3:52 p.m. July 9, 2009

Hate to disagree with you JJ but Sap got shut down big time when teams started focusing on him at the end of his period as a starter. He said himself during his exit interviews he doesn't know how to adjust yet when teams focus on him, that they shut him down.

Doesn't sound like a $7-$9 Million dollar guy you can call plays for night after night. Sure he can learn ad he will be a good player in the league but he is no Boozer. He is a good back-up role player who comes in, gives it his all and does a good job. I like Milsap but he is definitely not the answer for the Jazz at PF. For $2-$4 million I can get the same caliber of player out of Wilcox or Gooden.

never know what you got | 3:54 p.m. July 9, 2009

till its gone. millie is a steel at 10 mill. what alone 7 or 8 .if i was starting a team be my first pick. either next year or year after allstar. and will be way better with a coach.

Funny.. | 4:12 p.m. July 9, 2009

How everyone thinks Boozer is so vastly superior to Millsap offensively...

He's better now, I'll give you that, but he gets less offensive rebounds, has more turnovers, and shot at a lower percentage than Millsap this year, and Millsap is 4 years younger and half the price of Loozer.

re: Trade | 4:17 p.m. July 9, 2009

Yeah, I saw that and came to the board to see if anyone had discussed it yet. I am not too familiar with Thomas' game, but at first blush I was a little confused as to why the Jazz are considering that trade.

Sure it creates some cap space, but I was under the impression that the Jazz are trying to shave cap space so they can sign Milsap. If they want Milsap back, why would they want to acquire another PF; especially when we have Okur, Koufos, and AK who are all capable of playing that position?

On the upside, from the numbers Thomas looks like a decent defensive player: 1.9 BPG and 1.15 steals in 27 minutes. He also looks like a decent rebounder and shooter.

Again I know almost nothing about his game and have only been able to look at his stats. Anybody have any insights?

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

1 photo

Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Jazz forward Paul Millsap, a restricted free agent, is waiting for an offer from either the Jazz or another team.

Follow us on facebook

Reader comments
Utah Jazz: Blazers may offer Millsap a contract

Add your comment

Ex-legislators call for ethics reform

Boys basketball rankings

Granite employee accused of theft

RSL trades Seitz to Philadelphia

Howard made the rivalry a rivalry

Rivalry has had some 'turkeys'

Utah firm offers writable disc

BYU has slim shot at BCS

Rivalry has had some 'turkeys'

Emotion is big key for Cougs

Reader comments Utah Jazz: Blazers may offer Millsap a contract

Add your comment

Reader comments
Utah Jazz: Blazers may offer Millsap a contract