Deseret News | Jazz brass debate Millsap match

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Jazz brass debate Millsap match

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Boys Boys | 7:38 p.m. July 10, 2009

The contract offered to Milsap is similar to the original one the Jazz gave Okur. Milsap's and Okur's starter numbers are similar.

Would you pay Charles Barkley 8+ Mil a year if he was in his prime? Guess what, he was a 6'6" PF.

Let Millie Go! | 7:40 p.m. July 10, 2009

Go get Drew Gooden who is unrestricted, and will be a better fit for a backup or starter role and less money than Milsaps contract. Trade A.K., Boozer, and Miles the G.S. for Biedrins, Maggette, Turiaf, and Wright that money works and Nellie loves A.K.

macnamara | 7:41 p.m. July 10, 2009

For those of you who are advocating that the Jazz let Milsap walk cause the PDX offer is too rich, you better get up to speed. BOOZER IS GONE. If you let Milsap walk, you'd better have plans to get a first line PF. Anybody got any realistic ideas?? And you can get off the Bosh kick. He's getting happier every day. They're adding good players around him(which he wanted) and Colangelo said he isn't done dealing yet!

Comments continue below

Vladimir | 7:42 p.m. July 10, 2009

Fedor is right. I loved Millsap and don't blame him at all for signing the contract. He'll be able to count his money while sitting behind Aldridge 38 minutes a night. If Boozer signed a contract to be a back-up, everybody would mock him. Anyway, it seems like the Harpring/Miles contracts have finally caught up to us. No one would've given Harpring a four-year deal, but the Jazz did and now he doesn't even know if he can finish the deal. The CJ contract was a joke from the start. That right there is over $10 million. Oh well, $8-9 mill for Millsap is still too much.

Tyler | 7:43 p.m. July 10, 2009

Love you Millie, but you are not worth that much. If the Jazz match this offer I no longer have hope for this team.

CJ3 | 7:48 p.m. July 10, 2009

Looking back on it, I am saddened that all the Boozer vs Millsap speculation and debate is nearing an end. It has been a stimulating and polarizing subject that has taught many fans about other players that they may never have looked twice at before.

Millsap is better than Boozer? Apparently he's not even better than LeMarcus Aldridge.

Sign Him | 8:00 p.m. July 10, 2009

I think talk to him maybe tell him that they will sign him for a one year contract then when the get rid of Boozer they will re-negotiate the contract with him. I don't know maybe that doesn't work, actually that doesn't, but, I think since he is seeing that at Portland that we would be sitting behind Aldridge and Aldridge won't be going anywhere anytime soon and the Jazz are really wanting to get rid of Boozer and he only has one year left on his contract and he does not want to be hear next year.

Blazers FAN | 8:07 p.m. July 10, 2009

All you Jazz fans are clueless! When this deal is final, there will be no 3 team trade between POR, CHI, and UTA. You are stuck with Boozer unless by some miracle you trade him and find money on the street so you can afford to keep Millsap. But that's not happening.

Even if you trade Boozer you CANNOT afford Millsap's offer by POR! 32-36 million for 4 season, plus the signing bonus that will be around 15 million for his first year POR.

Kiss Millsap goodbye Jazz fans, hahaha! Expect to see me at the Jazz vs Blazers games in SLC this year, I will be wearing my Roy #7 jersey, watching my Blazers kick your teams butt!

POR's bench: Fernandez, Outlaw, Webster, Millsap, Bayless, Frye, Oden

POR's starter: Roy, Pryzbilla, Batum, Blake, Aldridge.

Scary, right Jazz fans? hahaha

Rules of the game | 8:07 p.m. July 10, 2009

Contrary to what a few people have mentioned here, if the Jazz don't match Portland's offer to Millsap he CAN NOT immediately be traded back to the Jazz as part of any trade.

I Heart KOC | 8:20 p.m. July 10, 2009

KOC I hope you realize that you are getting worked right now. You just got cornered by POR and didnt even see it coming. Now you lose milsap and they wont be part of the CHI trade rumor.
Now the Jazz are in a pickle and will end up doing something stupid like signing a decent palyer to stupid $ rather than let the season play out without Milsap.

I hope this just shows them that they dont need a PF, they need a C and SF that play defense. If they can get Tyrus Thomas & Prysbilla (if Portland is still interested in dealing) then I think that solves 3 problems: Good C & SF and less $. D-will makes both of them better on offense

This may not be as obvious as it sounds but Okur is a PF, not a Center. Play him like the Lakers play Gasol, with a 7 foot decent center and a 6-9 SF that isnt brain dead. Even Dallas does it with Dirk. Maybe it is a euro trash thing that KOC & Jerry are just in denial about. Just because he is tall doesnt make him a center.

Cowboy Joe | 8:23 p.m. July 10, 2009

Millsap doesn't want to return to Utah. Utah was going to offer him 8million a year, but with Portlands front loaded contract Paul will get 15million the first year. What a greedy man. Same amount of money just sprend evenly over time.

Groundhogday | 8:31 p.m. July 10, 2009

Brandon Bass, who is comparable if not better than Millsap (longer, better defender, better jump shot), is getting half as much from Orlando. Millsap is a terrific role player, but $9 million for a backup PF? The Jazz made a terrible mistake matching Miles' offer last yea, and are lugging around AK's bloated contract. You just can't keep overpaying for role players, even nice role players, and stay competitive.

Look at how LA handled Ariza. They knew he was really just a role player, looked good due to playing with great players. Ariza for Artest? In a heart beat. Orlando did the same thing with Turk. Very good role player, but no defense and offense looked great in large part due to defenses focusing on Howard. Go ahead, let Toronto overpay.

nick | 8:33 p.m. July 10, 2009

lets say we dont sign millsap and trade boozer, do we make a run for odom, we would have the $$$.

bob | 8:48 p.m. July 10, 2009

i hope they go for lamar odom if they dont resign milsap.

they give golden state boozer, ak, miles,price
next we sign odom and got a dominant lineup
then sig wes matthews and josh duncan from summer league, both impressed

hopeful starting lineup:
d-will
brewer
odom
okur
biedrins

bench:
maynor
korver/wes matthews
maggette
koufus/josh duncan
fesenko

bob | 8:51 p.m. July 10, 2009

then we release harpring

Let him go | 8:55 p.m. July 10, 2009

Paul did exactly what the Jazz management told his agent to do: "Go out and see what the market is for your services. Bring it back to us and we'll talk." KOC's exact words! Paul did so, and Portland has set the market. Jazz have 7 days to match, let him walk, or engineer a sign-and-trade.

For all you fools out there saying they'll trade him back to us, it doesn't work that way. Check the league rules. And once they have Millsap, what incentive do they have to send him back anyway???

Reading their mind | 8:59 p.m. July 10, 2009

Are the Trail blazers still interested in a trade with the Jazz? If the Jazz trade Boozer they will have money to sign Milsap so the likely scenereo is that the trail blazers will not make a trade until they sign Milsap unless the Jazz relinquish their rights as part of the trade.

Shaybo | 9:06 p.m. July 10, 2009

It's time to let him go, there is no way he is worth that kind of money. We all love Paul but he is almost at his full potential right now. Let's keep all our expiring contract players and go after Brandon Roy next year with every thing we've got or at least put Portland so far into the Luxury tax to keep him it will hurt.

Know your enemy | 9:22 p.m. July 10, 2009

Not one single "Jazz fan" has spelled the name Joel Przybilla correctly, in DAYS of posting.

Any of you that have proposed a trade for him have no business doing so.

It's LaMarcus, by the way, not LeMarcus.

Gretkzy | 9:24 p.m. July 10, 2009

time to get rid of both. we need Bosh from Toronto .....trade all 3 including AK, Boozer and Milsap to Toronto for Bosh plus draft picks over the next two years...

gdog3 | 9:32 p.m. July 10, 2009

Everybody keeps saying Millsap is or isn't worth 8 to 9 million dollars a year. Don't forget that this offer sheet will probably be front loaded. The Blazers know that dollar for dollar, the Jazz are hardcore in the luxury realm this upcoming season. If this contract is front loaded, and why wouldn't it be, the Jazz might be looking at a 2009-2010 salary that exceeds 10 million. It could even base out higher than that, and this would be before luxury tax is even included (remember d for d).

d for d | 9:34 p.m. July 10, 2009

is dollar for dollar.

BuckeyeUt | 9:34 p.m. July 10, 2009

Wow, does this seem like 'deja vu' when the Jazz pulled the same thing to get Boozer from Cleveland? Everybody is talking about just trading Boozer and the Jazz will have enough money to sign Milsap. Even if we trade Boozer, we still need to put 75% of his $13 mil on the books, tha's $9 mil. So an upfront loaded contract will kill the Jazz.

I say write off next year and play the youngster for experience. We'll have New York's pick (hopefully a lottery) and maybe the Jazz will get them one for themselves. That's 2 lottery picks for a total of $4-6 mil a year. Do what Portland has done, rebuild through the draft. But then we will need a new coach who will play the youngsters. Maybe even speed up the offense since we won't have a power forward to run it through.

If we stay status quo, it's just going to being another average season. Sometimes you have to take a step back before you can take 2 steps forward.

Thanks Paul, don't know if your stats will be the same, but your hustle will be.

CBT | 10:17 p.m. July 10, 2009

Thanks for 3 good years Paul. The Jazz gave you the chance to earn this phat payday, don't ever forget that. But now it is time to part. Good luck in Portland. See you in town 2 times a year.

And the reason I say let him go is because next year will be huge for the Jazz if they do. They will be players in the open market with the deals coming off the books they have. I say roll the dice in 2009-10 and let's play for next summer.

Keep Milsap!!!!! | 10:19 p.m. July 10, 2009

Trade boozer, ak and cj. put milsap at the the 3 and get a thomas from the bulls. I think the bulls will go for booz and cj for thomas. find someone willing to take ak and get a draft pick for him.

Anonymous | 10:24 p.m. July 10, 2009

Keep Boozer send the little PF Milsap to PDX. There no future for the Jazz with Milsap. If you look at his stats the last half of the season he averaged less than 12 points and 8 rebounds. That's the PF you build a contender with? Not really. If Boozer isn't staying in Utah, then trade and get a PF. But Milsap isn't the answer!!!!

DIE HARD | 10:43 p.m. July 10, 2009

IF BOOZER AND MILSAP ARE WORTH 12.8 AND 8 MILLION A YEAR THEY HAVE TO BE WORTH SIGNING THEM BOTH AND TRADING THEM BOTH FOR A BIG GUY WHO CAN PLAY D AND REBOUND.

Where's the understanding | 10:50 p.m. July 10, 2009

Why is everyone coming down on Millsap? He's only 24 years old, hasnt hit his prime yet, and still developing. Ya, he's a bit small for the PF but he plays much bigger than his size.
Also, he may not be the 20-10 guy Boozer is, but he is a much better defender. He may only be a 15-8 guy, but realize Utah has the no. 4 ranked offense in the league, we dont need offense, we need defense. Thats why Utah wants Tyrus Thomas so bad.
Even when Millsap's numbers dropped off last season and everyone said he was getting tired, he was still playing solid defense and hustling.
Compare this contract to other PF contracts in the league and their production, I personally think this contract isnt as bad as many beleive it is.
Besides if it wasnt for AK's contract, no one would be complaining...

anonymous | 10:55 p.m. July 10, 2009

Jazz need to keep Milsap without a doubt! he did a lot for us. Trade AK and Boozer they arent worth a dime of what we are payin them!

Nevada Fan | 11:02 p.m. July 10, 2009

Know your enemy: relax no one cares about the spelling.

Anonymous: I agree totally.At this point they are the same ole Jazz. I am not sure where the Lakers,Celtics are at as far as the cap, but they seem to do what every it takes to be a contender.
Trade AK,Booz,and one of the young centers. Get Kaman,.and hopefully Rip.

Heath | 11:08 p.m. July 10, 2009

Tough decision in my eyes. Yes it is a lot of money to pay for Milsap to sit the bench. I could see him as a starter, but not a man to center things around. If we traded Boozer we would need to become a better perimeter team. I would love to see a really strong 2-guard or small forward who can create some offense and take the pressure off D-will. When it comes down to it I think there are two options to consider: 1. Say goodbye to Milsap or 2. Trade Boozer for a very solid SG or SF

Nevada Fan | 11:18 p.m. July 10, 2009

My bad I forgot Thomas.

It is time the Jazz used some | 11:21 p.m. July 10, 2009

wisdom. Call Prichard's bluff and let Millsap go. It is too much money and he is not a PF the Jazz can build the future around. Don't get flustered into giving Boozer away for pennies.

I really don't understand the Jazz. Signing Okur was like waving a red flag at Prichard. The Okur signing could have waited until after the Millsap issue was resolved.

Further, Millsap should have been extended last Dec.

Keep Boozer until you can get the PF that you really want. One who is young, reasonably priced, can score and play defense. Remember that the Sloan system makes both Boozer and Millsap look better than they really are. It will work with another PF.

If Prichard over pays for Millsap it hurts the Blazers. If Utah over pays it hurts them.

Get as much as you can out of Boozer. Wait for a firesale. Instead of kissing up to the players all of the time, try doing what is best for the franchise and the fans.

If you plan on keeping Brewer maybe you should start working on an extention.

Please get a PF and an SG for Boozer. It can be done.

Don't worry Jazz Fans... | 11:29 p.m. July 10, 2009

There will be a 3 way trade, Portland will get the player they want out of this deal. Either it will be Millsap which leaves you without a PF after next season, or it will be someone to be named within the week in a sign and trade.

Portland can't lose in this issue. If Oden goes down again, we can slide Aldridge to the 5 and move Millsap to the 4. If Aldridge goes down, Millsap goes in. He's a durable player... you guys know that. We didn't overpay to get Millsap, we just forced you guys into helping us in a 3 way trade to broker a deal for a player we really want.

We really don't want Millsap, we want Hinrich or Prince without giving any of our players up for them. You guys are going to help us get this player by giving us your compensation for Boozer in a three way trade. It's actually quite brilliant.

You don't dare lose Millsap. OKC and Portland and the only ones with money left, and OKC doesn't want Booz. So that leaves us getting our guy through you trading Boozer.

O'connor | 11:31 p.m. July 10, 2009

O'Connor is getting worked...bad. He would not be very good at poker. He's revealed all his plans and Portland just stuck it to him.

No hard feelings | 11:36 p.m. July 10, 2009

I can only imagine the frustration in Utah over the Blazers signing Millsap. You guys really love him there and I can see why. The guy is pure hustle. I can't see you guys losing him. Most fans here in Portland believe the Jazz will match the offer. At worse, you guys trade away Boozer which is what it seems everyone there wants anyway.

Good luck to you. It's tough when there's only one team in town. Everything gets magnified and there is a lot of pride wrapped up in the team. We know that feeling here too. I for one think you'll keep Millsap.

Best of luck next season.

Happy to be stuck with Boozer | 11:40 p.m. July 10, 2009

I think 8 to 9 million is too steep for Milsap, especially since we'll have the luxury tax too. Carlos Boozer is much better and we'll just have to make what we have better. I've been on the Boozer bandwagon but its apparent the Jazz are looking to trade him. I think it has to do with injuries more than his performance (20 and 10). If we don't end up trading the 2nd best player on the Jazz I'll be happy to be stuck with him.

KJ | 11:50 p.m. July 10, 2009

Millsap a backup in Portland?

That's possible. But think about it, the Blazers have three players they'll potentially have to pay big money to (Roy, Aldridge, Oden). They're not going to be able to afford all three at their eventual asking prices, they most likely can only afford two of the three, and then surround them with less expensive role players. Since Roy is a soon-to-be superstar and Oden has potential to be defensive game changer (big-time rarity in the NBA), Aldridge might be the odd man out, as his skill set isn't exactly irreplacable. If they decide to eventually let Aldridge walk, it sure would be nice to have a reasonably priced PF capable of double-double production, right? Hence the Millsap signing, hence the motivation to sign another PF even though on the surface, it looks to already be a filled position. Think long term, gents.

mike | 12:39 a.m. July 11, 2009

Does anybody know when Andrei Kirilenko's contract ends? Its seems like we've been paying him way too much for forever. Really, I can't remember a time in the last 8 years when I didn't think that we should be forking out as much as we are for him. Get rid of Kirilenko and everything will be okay. Then we will have more money to go after some big guns next year.

Losing both Millsap and | 1:03 a.m. July 11, 2009

Boozer may be the best thing that ever happens to the Jazz. Neither of them are a PF the Jazz can build the future around but under ordinary circumstances the idiots who run the Jazz would insist on over paying both of them.

The Jazz never make trades unless forced to. Sloan and a poor record forced the trade for Korver. When was the last time the Jazz traded a player who Sloan liked for a better player? When was the last time they traded just to get better?

They only got Boozer and Okur because they were desperate enough to take a little risk.

The Jazz are poorly managed. Yes I know they make the playoffs. Sloan does get the most out of his players on offense but not defense.

However, his veto over player contracts and his deep need for continuity kill the Jazz by preventing them from getting the talent they really need. He insists on keeping and overpaying his projects.

Get the foundation in place (DWill and the right PF) rotate the role players as needed (for salary or talent purposes). It really won't kill you to actually try to improve the talent.

the Mailman | 1:04 a.m. July 11, 2009

Just reward for the Jazz. The initial offer of 1 million was an insult and showed Paul was not a major player in their plans.

You cant blame him, or Portland.

You get what you deserve and the Jazz brought this on themselves..

Vartanian is a Jerk | 1:06 a.m. July 11, 2009

Of course the Jazz weren't going to make such an offer to Millsap. Why would they, out of generosity? It's the smart move to wait and see what offers he actually garners, and then decide to match it or not.

Kevin Pritchard | 1:07 a.m. July 11, 2009

Either way, we win. You match, you (our division rival) pay much luxury tax. You don't, we get a tough frontcourt player we need.

No question | 1:11 a.m. July 11, 2009

Have to match and move boozer

Lets get this straight | 1:15 a.m. July 11, 2009

Millsap is a backup at POR but he is the PF that Utah want to be the franchise player that they will build the next 5-9 years around? Jazz thinking is warped.

Maybe the Jazz should position to get Aldridge?

The Jazz are already the laughing stock of the NBA. If they had any reason to believe Millsap was a real starter they should (could, would) have signed him last Nov. before his value went up.

They obviously did not think he was worth this much or they would not have told him to go get an offer and bring it back.

If you trade Boozer in a dumb deal to keep Millsap you will be a bigger laughing stock. Let Prichard play his game. He is not nearly as smart as he thinks he is. Just look at his draft this year. Millsap is not a complete player or he would be starting in POR.

Prichard is putting pressure on Aldridge in a bad market. Let him pay extra for Millsap.

Further, let his mouthy greedy uncle try to deal with Prichard at the end of his contract. That aught to be interesting.

jazz fan | 1:50 a.m. July 11, 2009

Whatever happend with the harpring ak trade for mcgrady ? I think that if we let boozer go and keep millsap and get mcgrady we would not miss AK and harpring and boozer!

Don't overlook AK | 1:51 a.m. July 11, 2009

Yeah, AK has underachieved -- he is playing out of position. If Milsap or Boozer are gone, and AK starts getting PF minutes, watch his productivity rise, just like it did when Boozer was injured. He'd get to play closer to the basket, where his length is a defensive asset. He may not be worth $17m, but he is twice as valuable as a PF than as a SF. All is not lost.

As someone mentioned, Okur would be tough at the 4, too. We have plently of PF options. We need a 2 and/or 3 that can shoot and defend average or better.

AZ JAZZ | 2:41 a.m. July 11, 2009

Millsap and Boozer need to stay in Utah. Millsap is Boozers backup while he deals with injury. Millsap knows it. Its a great spot to be for Millsap. If injury happens Millsap can start. They shown team strength in playoffs. Blazers aren't his place. More money for Utah if they both stay.

Anonymous | 2:55 a.m. July 11, 2009

I love Millsap, and the Jazz will find a way to move Boozer and match for sure. He needs to get a leash on his reps though. The idea that Utah did not want to offer a "fair offer" is absurd. They are moving a *&*&ing olympian to resign him, and Millsap's people should be smarter than to talk like the Jazz have just given him up. You're staying Paul, everybody loves you, but your agents need to chill.

Fan | 3:53 a.m. July 11, 2009

Interesting comments. If Milsap stayes in Utah, we love the deal, if he leaves we think Utah is screwed, and will be hitting the NBA lottery next June?? And what is with the "overpaid" comments--ALL NBA players are overpaid, some just more then others. Portland has deep pockets so no problem there, even then they have to start paying Roy, Aldredge and Oden beyond there rookie contracts. Millsap will get his minutes with Portland, have you seen Portlands second unit!!?? Its better sometimes then the starters. So good for Paul for getting a sweet deal, I hope he continues to mature and get the kudos he diserves.

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