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Drbio · 07-05-2004, 10:38 PM

Jazz Reach Agreements With Okur, Giricek

By DOUG ALDEN

AP Sports Writer

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Utah Jazz have verbal commitments from restricted free agents Mehmet Okur and Gordan Giricek.

The Jazz would not release terms of either agreement, other than to say they were multiyear contracts, Utah vice president for basketball operations Kevin O'Connor said Monday night.

The Okur offer was reported by the Detroit Free Press, which said the Pistons still were waiting to hear the official news from Okur's agent, Marc Fleisher. Fleisher did not return messages left by The Associated Press on Monday night.

O'Connor confirmed that there was an offer and Okur had agreed to it, but said he couldn't comment on what the Jazz like about him.

Okur could help where the Jazz need it most. Utah struggled to score inside in its first season without Karl Malone and it got worse when leading-scorer Matt Harpring was lost for the season in January after knee surgery.

Center Greg Ostertag, who spent nine seasons with Utah, is an unrestricted free agent and it's unclear whether the Jazz will try to re-sign him.

Okur averaged 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in his second NBA season and at age 25 still would fit with the Jazz's plan to rebuild with young players.

Pistons president Joe Dumars said last week it was unlikely the Pistons could afford to sign Okur as well as unrestricted free agent Rasheed Wallace.

Okur is the first Turk to win an NBA championship. President Bush cited Okur in his speech during the recent NATO summit in Istanbul as an example of a Turk who has contributed to American life.

Giricek joined the Jazz after coming over in a deadline deal with Orlando for DeShawn Stevenson. Giricek, who was a stronger outside shooter, averaged 13.5 points in 25 games with the Jazz. Utah was impressed with Giricek right away and made a qualifying offer for him to stay on July 1, the day free agent negotiations could begin.

The Jazz also have qualifying offers out on restricted free agents Carlos Arroyo, Jarron Collins and Mo Williams.

07-05-2004, 10:38 PM	#5
Drbio Banned Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nowhere Posts: 40,924	RE: Okur to Utah? Jazz Reach Agreements With Okur, Giricek By DOUG ALDEN AP Sports Writer SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Utah Jazz have verbal commitments from restricted free agents Mehmet Okur and Gordan Giricek. The Jazz would not release terms of either agreement, other than to say they were multiyear contracts, Utah vice president for basketball operations Kevin O'Connor said Monday night. The Okur offer was reported by the Detroit Free Press, which said the Pistons still were waiting to hear the official news from Okur's agent, Marc Fleisher. Fleisher did not return messages left by The Associated Press on Monday night. O'Connor confirmed that there was an offer and Okur had agreed to it, but said he couldn't comment on what the Jazz like about him. Okur could help where the Jazz need it most. Utah struggled to score inside in its first season without Karl Malone and it got worse when leading-scorer Matt Harpring was lost for the season in January after knee surgery. Center Greg Ostertag, who spent nine seasons with Utah, is an unrestricted free agent and it's unclear whether the Jazz will try to re-sign him. Okur averaged 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in his second NBA season and at age 25 still would fit with the Jazz's plan to rebuild with young players. Pistons president Joe Dumars said last week it was unlikely the Pistons could afford to sign Okur as well as unrestricted free agent Rasheed Wallace. Okur is the first Turk to win an NBA championship. President Bush cited Okur in his speech during the recent NATO summit in Istanbul as an example of a Turk who has contributed to American life. Giricek joined the Jazz after coming over in a deadline deal with Orlando for DeShawn Stevenson. Giricek, who was a stronger outside shooter, averaged 13.5 points in 25 games with the Jazz. Utah was impressed with Giricek right away and made a qualifying offer for him to stay on July 1, the day free agent negotiations could begin. The Jazz also have qualifying offers out on restricted free agents Carlos Arroyo, Jarron Collins and Mo Williams.