Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur Decide to Stay with Utah Jazz

June 30, 2009

Carlos Boozer, ex-Piston Mehmet Okur decide to stay with Utah Jazz

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SALT LAKE CITY — Forward Carlos Boozer and center Mehmet Okur have reconsidered free agency, or at least put it off a year.

Boozer and Okur let the Utah Jazz know today that they will stay with the team for the final year of their contracts rather than opt out and becoming free agents.


Boozer, whose name has been tied to the Detroit Pistons as a possible off-season acquisition, backed off his original statement and said when the season ended he wanted to consider all of his options.


He chose not to chance an iffy free agent market for more money and possibly a long-term deal, taking the $12.7 million he’s guaranteed next season from the Jazz.
Boozer took until the final day to reach a decision.


Okur's agent, Marc Fleisher, told ESPN.com of his client's decision.


Okur averaged 17 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season. The 6-foot-11 center also hit 45% of his three-pointers.


When healthy, Boozer has been the Jazz’s top scorer and rebounder and helped lead Utah to three straight playoff appearances. He has been an All-Star twice and was a member of last year’s U.S. Olympic gold medal team, but injuries have taken him out for large chunks of three of his five seasons in Utah.


“We are excited that Carlos has decided to remain with the Jazz,” general manager Kevin O’Connor said in a release. “We are hopeful he can continue to play at an All-Star level and will have an injury-free season.”


Boozer has averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds since Utah signed him away from the Cleveland Cavaliers as a restricted free agent five years ago, but has only played in 276 of a possible 410 with the Jazz. He was limited to 37 games last season, due largely to an injury that required surgery on his left knee in January.


Boozer's decision affects the rest of the Jazz's off-season decisions. Up-and-coming forward Paul Millsap is a restricted free agent.


If the Jazz decide to sign Millsap, Utah will incur the dreaded luxury tax. However, a Jazz source told ESPN.com that the team is willing to do it to keep Millsap. Millsap is expected to have a number of suitors including the Pistons, Grizzlies and Thunder. All three teams could give him a contract with a large starting salary in the $8 million to 10 million range.


Utah learned Monday that reserve shooting guard Kyle Korver exercised his option to play out his contract for $5.2 million.