Jazz coach Jerry Sloan welcomed Wednesday the return of Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur, a day after the two opted against free agency in favor of sticking with Utah.
"Obviously, we're excited about having them back," Sloan said from Orlando, Fla., where the Jazz have started summer-league practice. "I think it gives us a chance to be pretty competitive. The thought of not having them back was not much fun." Although the Jazz struggled to finish the season, going 15-11 at full strength after Boozer's return from knee surgery, and were eliminated by the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, Sloan believed the team should be given another chance.
"I think you've got to do everything you can to try to win," Sloan said, adding that he recognized there were financial parameters involved.
The Jazz won't start training camp until late September, but Sloan was asked how a pairing of Boozer and Paul Millsap could work for another season. Millsap is a restricted free agent, but the Jazz have vowed to re-sign him.
"I think all of that will take care of itself when we start playing and start practicing," Sloan said, adding, "Somebody has to have the ability to play off the bench."
He did not rule out the possibility of playing Boozer and Millsap in the same lineup, saying, "If that's the best way to play, that's what we would do."
Sloan said Millsap "especially should be rewarded for having improved" and that he'd like for Millsap to come back better this season. As for starting versus being a reserve, Sloan acknowledged, "You don't know how players are going to be affected by that sort of thing."
He noted that the Lakers brought one of their best players in Lamar Odom off the bench as part of their championship team. "All those things you have to weigh to go forward," Sloan said. "Hopefully, you give yourself a chance to play and a chance to win."
rsiler@sltrib.com
