Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Free Agent Party Begins! (except in Utah)

The free agent season began officially last night at midnight. Time for all the new free agents to collect their millions and party like it's aught-one. Unfortunately for those of you who stayed up late getting ready for the party to begin, the Jazz' free agent party ended about 12 hours earlier.

The Jazz tied up the remaining loose ends of their roster on Monday by making two easy decisions: they picked up the option on Millsap and made a qualifying offer to CJ Miles. So, for now, the Jazz have the maximum 15 roster slots filled and can't chase down a key free agent, like they did last year with Jason Hart. That means Millsap enters the last year of his three-year contract making about $300,000 less than Morris Almond. Once he heard the news he partied - like a gentleman.

Now, the only remaining intrigue this summer regarding roster moves is what happens with CJ. He can sign with other teams, but the Jazz have reserved their right to match any offer he gets. He obviously hasn't been a key contributor in his three years in Salt Lake, and the question now is whether he can get significant money somewhere else. I've heard rumors that New Orleans might be interested in signing him. My gut tells me that if he can get a decent deal somewhere (like for $2 million per year for three years) the Jazz let him walk. There is already tension regarding whether he'll play in the Revue, which he hates. I just get the feeling that the Jazz are tired of the CJ-experiment. And CJ may be tired of the Jazz.

6 comments:

Pasty Gangsta said...

What I get tired of is reading that CJ doesn't want to play in the Revue because he "might get hurt." Man up and go to the damn summer league games if you're only getting a few minutes a contest during the season! This isn't rocket science. If he really isn't going to play again and gets another offer, let him walk.

Orlando said...

Pasty, you know my feelings on CJ: worst case scenario is we let him go and he turns into a Deshawn Stevenson, ie, a below-average starter in the east.

Pasty Gangsta said...

Agreed. However, Draft Guru thinks he's a budding All-Star. Who's right? Only time will tell. . . that the Guru is wrong about this one.

Draft Guru said...

I agree that CJ needs to attend the RMR. It can only help...right? I'm worried that CJ will become exactly what Mo Williams became (if we let him go). We made the wrong investment then. Huge mistake! We gave $ to Arroyo who sucked, and didn't give a small, measly $2M to Mo. Mo Williams became the starter for Milwaukee averaging 17 & 6. I think the Jazz match up to $3M & 3-4 years, otherwise, it'll be a waste of an investment. I believe CJ would like to leave for more playing time...but I'm not sure the Jazz will let him. I believe the Jazz need to open up the roster to let him play.

Orlando said...

You are correct, Guru - the Jazz will match up to about 3 or 4 million.

There is a chance that CJ turns into a player. I always forget that he is only 21 (two years younger than Morris Almond). If I were the Jazz I'd offer a long term (4 year) deal for $2 mill per year - that is peanuts in the NBA. But I don't think he'd take it. I think he is done with the Sloan show.

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