Jazz won't bite on 'outlandish' offers

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 27, 2004 | by Tim Buckley Deseret Morning News

The Jazz will not match crazy offers, and will not overpay, even for one of their own.

Fair warning has been issued.

Or so has suggested Jazz owner Larry H. Miller, who made it clear when the 2003-04 NBA season ended that any or all who intend to be back next season must be realistic -- even if Utah does have roughly $26 million in under-the-cap money to spend on NBA free agents this summer.

"Everybody has to fit into our salary structure," Miller said. "If someone has an outlandish offer, that's something we're trying to stay away from."

All four of the Jazz's restricted free agents, however, are expected to test the open market when the league's summer negotiating period opens Thursday.

The Jazz seem quite intent on re-signing shooting guard Gordan Giricek, though Portland and possibly New Jersey may pursue him as well. They like big man Jarron Collins, too -- so much so he was not exposed for last Tuesday's NBA Expansion Draft.

Guards Carlos Arroyo and Mo Williams could both be back, though Miami may show interest in Arroyo, and the Charlotte Observer reported Saturday that the expansion Charlotte Bobcats might consider extending an offer sheet to Williams.

As for unrestricted free agent center Greg Ostertag, it remains possible he will be back for a 10th season in Utah.

Miller, though, has made it known the price tag on 'Tag -- who made $8.67 million last season -- would have to drastically come down.

"We know, pretty much, who Greg is," the Jazz owner said. "So, what we'd have to do is make our expectations on what we think he'll give us match up with what he's earning."

E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com