The Utah Jazz have been really busy in re-signing their own players to keep the team together. Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver, Mehmet Okur and Ronnie Price have all been re-signed to new contracts and that’s a good thing. Carlos Boozer exercised his option on his contract and then started complaining that he wanted out of town. The Jazz are looking right now to trade Boozer as Paul Millsap is more than ready to step into the starting lineup. The Jazz also selected Eric Maynor (PG) and Goran Sutton (PF) in the NBA Draft but neither will likely get much playing time this season.

OFF-SEASON GRADE FOR THE FRONT OFFICE SO FAR: B+

The Jazz have matched the 4-year, $32 million dollar offer to power forward Paul Millsap. The 24-year old is a key to the Jazz’ future and they could not afford to have a rival get them on their team. Millsap played in 76 games (38 starts) last season for the Jazz and he averaged 30.1 minutes, 13.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steal and 1 blocked shot per game. He has now played in 240 games (41 starts) in his three year NBA career and he has averaged 22.8 minutes, 9.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. The Jazz really need to trade Carlos Boozer to open up a starting job for Millsap, pronto!

27-year old power forward Carlos Boozer exercised a option in his contract for the 2009-2010 NBA season. He played in 37 games (all starts) for the Jazz last season and he averaged 32.4 minutes, 16.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steal per game. The Jazz are actively trying to move Carlos Boozer so that they can keep Paul Millsap who has received a huge offer from the rival Portland Trailblazers. Boozer has played in five seasons with the Jazz covering 276 games (262 starts) in which he averaged 34.0 minutes, 19.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game. The Jazz will probably be better off if they can move Boozer and retain Millsap who is a emerging star.

The Jazz have brought back 30-year old center Mehmet Okur on a 1-year deal. Okur played in 72 games (all starts) last season for the Jazz and he averaged 33.5 minutes, 17.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Okur nailed an amazing 44.6% from three point range last season which is deadly considering that he’s a center. Okur has now played in 531 games (373 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 29.5 minutes, 13.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. It was a smart move to bring back Okur by the Jazz.

The Utah Jazz have re-signed 28-year old small forward Kyle Korver to a 1-year deal. Korver played in 78 games (2 starts) last season for the Jazz and he averaged 24.0 minutes, 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He will likely get more playing time during the 2009-2010 season for the Jazz. Korver has now played in 465 games (103 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 10.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Korver’s main value to the Jazz is his long range shooting as he has nailed 40.4% of his three point attempts in his NBA career.