The Utah Jazz are keeping much of their frontcourt together.
After looking at their options, forward Carlos Boozer and center Mehmet Okur decided to exercise the options on their contracts and stay with Utah.
Boozer will earn $12.7 million and will join the star-studded free-agent class of 2010. The decision was first reported by the Salt Lake Tribune. Okur is due $9 million next season.
“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 averaged 16.2 points and 10.4 rebounds last season but played in only 37 games due to injuries. He has scored 16.8 points and pulled down 10.0 rebounds per game for his career.
Boozer’s decision affects the rest of the Jazz’s offseason decisions. Up-and-coming forward Paul Millsap is a restricted free agent.
Okur averaged 17.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season. The 6-foot-11 center also hit 45 percent of his 3-pointers.
The Jazz struggled without him when he missed the first three games of the playoffs this spring with a hamstring injury, falling behind the Lakers and never recovering.
“He has clearly been an integral part of our success since his arrival and we are hopeful that he will continue to perform at such a high level in the future,” O’Connor said.
A few months ago, Boozer was confident he would be a free agent. He told ESPN.com’s Chris Sheridan in December that he was opting out.
“I’m opting out. No matter what, I’m going to get a raise regardless,” Boozer told ESPN.com. “I am going to opt out, I don’t see why I wouldn’t, I think it’s a very good business decision for me and my family, but I’d also like to see what happens with the Jazz and stay here.”
To find out why he changed his mind, peep the full story by clicking here!
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