The sure to be epic 2013 Jazz off-season!

Bill Oram: The Jazz will host a three-day free agent minicamp starting today. 24 players, including Travis Leslie (former 10-day signee), will attend.

Twitter @tribjazz

Bill Oram: 24 guys attending Jazz mini-camp. Brace yourselves: Dee Bost, Will Buford, Xavier Gibson, Drew Gordon, JaMychal Green, Rodney Green, Jorge Gutierrez, Marquez Haynes, Lazar Hayward, Cedric Jackson, Edwin Jackson, Rick Jackson, D.J. Kennedy, Travis Leslie, Rasid Mahalbasic, Toure Murry, Harouna Mutombo, Arinze Onuaku, Josh Owens, Chris Roberts, Henry Sims, Jermaine Taylor, Chris Wright and Luke Zeller.

Twitter @tribjazz

[QUOTE] The Utah Jazz are throwing a wrinkle into their offseason player evaluation process.

The Jazz will work out 24 free agents — mostly from the D-League and international leagues — during a three-day minicamp that began Tuesday with physicals and will run through Thursday at Zions Bank Basketball Center.

Though there aren't any big names on the list of free agents, this is an unprecedented move for the Jazz, who have more than half of their 13-15-man roster to fill this offseason.

The Jazz will also hold another pre-draft workout between two free-agent sessions. Wednesday's tryout will feature likely lottery-bound Lehigh guard C.J. McCollum, a 6-3, 200-pounder considered one of the top two playmakers in this draft along with Trey Burke.

Weber State guard Scott Bamforth (6-2, 190) will also work out for the Jazz with McCollum in this two-man evaluation.

The most recognizable names of participating free agents are former Jazz player Travis Leslie, who played briefly with Utah on a 10-day contract last spring; ex-Phoenix big man Luke Zeller, whose brother, Cody Zeller, recently worked out for the organization; and forward Lazar Hayward, who has been on NBA rosters with Oklahoma City and Minnesota.

The Spurs have held a similar free-agent minicamp when Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey was employed by San Antonio. The Heat, Lakers, Hawks and 76eres have also brought in unheralded free agents hoping to catch an organization's eye.

The minicamp and pre-draft workout are closed to the public.

Here is the current roster for the Jazz's free agent minicamp:

Dee Bost, 6-2, 176 (Recent team: Buducnost, College: Mississippi St. 2012)

Will Buford, 6-6, 220 (Bluesens Monbus, Ohio State '12)

Xavier Gibson, 6-11, 229 (Panelefsinlakos, Florida State '12)

Drew Gordon, 6-9, 235 (Sanco di Sardania, New Mexico '12)

JaMychal Green, 6-8, 220 (Austin Toros, Alabama '12)

Rodney Green, 6-5, 205 (Novipiu Casale, LaSalle '10)

Jorge Gutierrez, 6-3, 194 (Canton Charge, California '12)

Marquez Haynes, 6-3, 185 (Art Dragons-GER, Texas Arlington '10)

Lazar Hayward, 6-6, 225 (Los Angeles Defenders, Marquette '10)

Cedric Jackson, 6-3, 209 (Breakers-AUS, Cleveland State '09)

Edwin Jackson, 6-3, 201 (ASVEL)

Rick Jackson, 6-9, 235 (Austin Toros, Syracuse '12)

D.J. Kennedy, 6-6, 215 (Rio Grande Valley Vipers, St. John’s '11)

Travis Leslie, 6-4, 205 (Santa Cruz Warriors, Georgia '11)

Rasid Mahalbasic, 6-10, 220 (Asseco Prokom)

Toure Murry, 6-5, 200 (Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Wichita State '12)

Harouna Mutombo, 6-5, 200 (Peja-Kosovo, West Carolina '12)

Arinze Onuaku, 6-9, 255 (Canton Charge, Syracuse '10)

Josh Owens, 6-8, 245 (Idaho Stampede, Stanford '12)

Chris Roberts, 6-4, 205 (Austin Toros, Bradley '10)

Henry Sims, 6-10, 244 (Petron Blaze, Georgetown '12)

Jermaine Taylor, 6-4, 209 (Maine Red Claws, Central Florida '09)

Chris Wright, 6-8, 220 (Maine Red Claws, Dayton '11)

Luke Zeller, 6-11, 244 (Phoenix Suns, Notre Dame '09)[/QUOTE]

Good idea. There's some fringe NBA guys there. Help fill out the Summer League roster and maybe find some guys for fall and eventually the end of the roster possibly. Should have McNeal and Murphy competing with them too.

Interesting that they are getting McCollum in for a look. Along with Zeller they are all projected ahead of where the Jazz pick. Very unusual. The fact that the Jazz obviously have a big opening for a small guard and also an extra pick to move up I'm sure plays into that with CJ at least. Their agents might be the same or have a good relationship with the Jazz too? Looking more and more likely that the Jazz could move up.

The Jazz will be working out four full-time PGs, 10 wing players, and 10 bigmen. Of this group, only seven have NBA experience (Travis Leslie, Jermaine Taylor, Lazar Hayward, D.J. Kennedy, Chris Wright, Henry Sims, and Luke Zeller). And of those guys, only three of them were even drafted. So -- these guys aren't guys you are going to build your franchise around. Still, they have their value. First of all, none of them are YOUNGER than our Cowabunga Four. So that's good. Many of them played over-seas and they will be, at the very least, training camp fodder.

Bill Oram: Former Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is at Jazz practice facility for free agent mini-camp.

Twitter @tribjazz

[QUOTE]It's possible Jeff Hornacek's replacement is helping the Utah Jazz at Zions Bank Basketball Center this week. Kenny Gattison, a former NBA player and coach, was invited to assist the Jazz with an ongoing free agent mini-camp, raising questions about his potential for ending up with the organization. Utah has had a vacant assistant coach position since Hornacek was hired as the Suns head coach two weeks ago, making Gattison's involvement with the Jazz all the more interesting.

Deseret News

It still remains possible that Brad Jones could be promoted from his position as Jazz's director of player development to full-time assistant coach. That scenario played out last summer when Michael Sanders received a promotion from that position after then-assistant coach Scott Layden was hired as the Spurs' assistant general manager. That scenario played out last summer when Michael Sanders received a promotion from that position after then-assistant coach Scott Layden was hired as the Spurs' assistant general manager.

Deseret News

It also wouldn't be a shock if Jazz video coordinator Jefferson Sweeney received a promotion into one of the player development coaching positions. Sweeney has worked in the background with the organization for the past 13 years, becoming an integral part of the team's scouting squad after originally starting as an EnergySolutions Arena security guard.

Deseret News[/QUOTE]

I'm guessing he played with Ty or Lowe somewhere along the line?

In the build-up to draft day, Lehigh guard C.J. McCollum has frequently drawn comparisons to Rookie of the Year and former Weber State star Damian Lillard. On Wednesday, the Utah Jazz enlisted the help of someone who should know.

"They have similar games," said Lillard

It's possible Jeff Hornacek's replacement is helping the Utah Jazz at Zions Bank Basketball Center this week.

Kenny Gattison, a former NBA player and coach, was invited to assist the Jazz with an ongoing free agent mini-camp, raising questions about his potential for ending up with the organization.

Utah has had a vacant assistant coach position since Hornacek was hired as the Suns' head coach two weeks ago, making Gattison's involvement with the Jazz all the more interesting.

Adding to the intrigue of Gattison's invitation to Utah, Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin was his teammate in Phoenix during the 1988-89 season. Also, Gattison, 49, grew up in Wilmington, N.C., which is three hours east of the 50-year-old Corbin's hometown of Columbia, S.C.

It wouldn't be unprecedented for Corbin to hire a former teammate. The NBA's ninth-longest-tenured head coach has done that twice since taking over for Jerry Sloan on Feb. 10, 2011

Andy Katz: Jamal Franklin still out with a left ankle injury. Can only shoot. Likely won't risk working out. Visit list: Bos, NY, BK, Utah, Clev, Atl. Twitter

[QUOTE]Jazz small forawrd DeMarre Carroll will make 27 Junior Jazz appearances throughout Utah and into Nevada over the next two weeks, conducting clinics in the far reaches of the region.
Carroll will host clinics from June 17-28. The final clinic in Brigham City could be his last act as a member of the Jazz. Three days later, he becomes a free agent. Carroll has insisted since the end of the season that he wants to return to the Jazz next season.[/QUOTE]

That's a good sign as far as bringing him back I'd think.

Most mock drafts have tabbed the 6-foot-3 combo guard as a top 10 selection, which would require the Jazz to make a trade to move up from their No. 14 and 21 first-round spots.

The two-time Patriot League Player of the Year believes he's ready to step in and play

[QUOTE]
The Wolves have limited assets to swing such a deal, namely third-year forward Derrick Williams, second-year guard Alexey Shved and the ninth and/or 26th picks. [URL="http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/211495981.html"]They also likely will trade one of two veteran guards

[QUOTE]Utah Jazz forward [URL="http://www.csnnw.com/article/williams-declines-termination-option-will-return-jazz"]Marvin Williams has elected not to exercise his early termination option for the 2013-14 season, giving him one more year under contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2014,[/URL] a source informed CSNNW.com.

[URL="http://www.csnnw.com/article/williams-declines-termination-option-will-return-jazz"]CSNNW.com[/URL][LEFT][COLOR=#000000][/QUOTE]

shocking
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[URL="http://www.sportando.net/eng/usa/nba/57095/rodney-green-will-play-orlando-summer-league-with-jazz.html"]Rodney Green will play the Orlando Summer League with the Utah Jazz[/URL]. [URL="http://www.sportando.net/eng/usa/nba/57095/rodney-green-will-play-orlando-summer-league-with-jazz.html"]Sportando[/URL]
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The Utah Jazz's busy week of evaluating prospective players will continue Saturday with a pair of intriguing pre-draft workouts.

Two West Coast Conference big men

Steve Luhm: Big day for the Jazz: Four likely first-rounders worked out including Dieng, Gobert, Olynyk and Franklin.

Twitter @sluhm

Steve Luhm: Olynyk enjoyed talking hoops with John Stockton because he's "so smart. ... Five minutes with him is like 10 years with" somebody else.

Twitter @sluhm

Bill Oram: Utah C Jason Washburn almost got a 2nd workout with the Jazz today. Arsalan Kazemi sprained ankle in last workout, Wash was here as backup

Twitter @tribjazz

It was like old home day at the Zions Bank Basketball Center Saturday where an assemblage of familiar faces, headed by BYU forward Brandon Davies, worked out for the Utah Jazz.

Davies, who played four years for the Cougars and averaged 12.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in his career, was the most familiar of the dozen players who worked out in two separate sessions. But a bunch of players who competed against BYU in the West Coast Conference, against Utah in the Pac-12, or against both the Cougars and Utes in the Mountain West Conference back in the day, were among the 12 players who worked out for Jazz coaches and scouts.

Besides Davies, other players that have played in the state of Utah several times in recent years included Gonzaga forward Kelly Olynyk, Arizona forward Grant Jerrett, San Diego State guard Jamaal Franklin, Oregon

SUNDAY SESSION: Sundays pre-draft workout will include ex-Ute guard Will Clyburn (Iowa State), Tennessee State F Robert Covington, VCU G Troy Daniels, Kansas State G Rodney McGruder, Oregon F E.J. Singler and Memphis G/F Adonis Thomas.

The Utah Jazz have, in their history, drafted one player from Gonzaga University. And wouldn

Bill Oram: Oregon's E.J. Singler said former Jazz guard/coach Jeff Hornacek was one of his favorite players. Worked out for Jeff in Phoenix.

Twitter @tribjazz

[QUOTE]SALT LAKE CITY

Jody Genessy: Jazz's second pre-draft workout session Monday: Tyler Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., Ian Hummer, Shabazz Muhammad, B.J. Porter, Mfron Udofia.

Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Jody Genessy: Jazz's first pre-draft workout session Monday: Dewayne Dedmon, Lucas Nogueira, Mason Plumlee, Phil Pressey, Andrew Smith, Dexter Strickland.

Twitter @DJJazzyJody
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[QUOTE]Jody Genessy: Jazz president Randy Rigby wouldn't comment when I asked if Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap will be here next season to enjoy the scoreboard. Twitter @DJJazzyJody[/QUOTE]

They won't both be back and Jefferson better not be back!

Steve Luhm: Jazz VP Walt Perrin says Tim Hardaway Jr. has an obvious NBA skill: "He can shoot the ball." Twitter @sluhm

Steve Luhm: Tim Hardaway Jr. says he has worked out for 10 teams and will work out for five more before the draft. Twitter @sluhm

Bill Oram: Shabazz says he

Jody Genessy: Jazz are making a $15 million renovation to their 22-year-old arena. Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Jody Genessy: Steve Miller: Jazz are making a significant investment into arena. HD LED scoreboard. Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Bill Oram: Steve Miller says new audio and HD/LED video system will enhance overall experience/product of Jazz games. Twitter @tribjazz

Bill Oram: Steve Miller says "the most complete led package in all of professional sports." Twitter @tribjazz

[QUOTE]Steve Luhm: UCLA's Shabazz Muhammad met with Jazz officials today but did not work out. Injury-related, apparently. Twitter @sluhm

Bill Oram: Walked into Jazz gym to see the one and only Jerry Sloan deep in conversation with the younger of two Tim Hardaways. Twitter @tribjazz[/QUOTE]

Shabazz doesn't make much sense to me anyway.

Jerry Sloan has been a tactful presence around the Utah Jazz's draft process, and he plans to continue providing subtle insight for the organization without

[QUOTE]Chris Roberts will join the Utah Jazz in the 2013 NBA Summer League LNBP[/QUOTE]

Chris Douglas? He's good.

Steve Luhm: Michael Carter-Williams, on working out for teams in the top 5 and the Jazz, who pick 14th: "You guys know the draft this year. It's crazy." Twitter @sluhm

Jody Genessy: Former Ute Alex Jensen is here helping the Jazz at today's workouts. He is the reigning D-League coach of the year at Canton. Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Playing for Kansas, Jeff Withey averaged 3.9 blocked shots per game and made a reputation for himself as one of the best rim protectors in college basketball.

The Utah Jazz already knew that about him. But that

There was this 7-foot center from Kansas, a big white guy who can definitely block shots and rebound but has somewhat suspect offensive skills, who was working out for the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

No, thankfully, it was not Greg Ostertag.

On this occasion, it was Jeff Withey, who averaged 13.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.9 blocked shots per game during his senior season for the Jayhawks in 2012-13.

Withey, a consensus second-team All-American, was one of six players who worked out for the Jazz at Zions Bank Basketball Center on Wednesday morning in hopes of hearing their names called during next week's NBA draft.

The others included a pair of 6-9 forwards, Jackie Carmichael and Christian Watford, along with 6-2 guard Ray McCallum Jr., 6-4 guard Brandon Paul and 6-1 guard John Allen.

But Withey was by far the biggest

[QUOTE]Paul Coro: Kenny Gattison, a #Suns teammate of Hornacek & West, is joining the Suns as an assistant coach. Last w/ATL in 2012, he's a 10-year NBA asst.

Twitter @paulcoro[/QUOTE]

So much for him as a coach with the Jazz.

[QUOTE=El Kabong]Yep, 1 more year at $9.3 million. S&T for Millsap or Jefferson? Mavs get Millsap/Jefferson on a 4 year $38/$45 million contract, Jazz get #13 + Shawn Marion.[/QUOTE]
Looks like it'll be even cheaper to buy the #13 and Marion, Cavs looking at trading #19 for it. Seems they only care about cap flexibility at this point.

Yeah I was thinking that too. But with Marvin under contract and G and possibly Demarre I'm not sure they want Marion around taking minutes?

Trey Burke. For picks 14 and 21. Happy with that deal.

Lindsey made a big splash with his first draft. The best pg. Sounds like he can catch and shoot which should make them pretty dynamic with he and G and Burks able to play with and without the ball. Mo says he won't come off the bench so I guess he's gone. They'd want him to earn the spot. Thing is he might have to come off the bench if he goes elsewhere too. Gobert a good project for the D-League. If he's in the rotation than there's a problem. The other guy they can stash. I would have though a sf might have made more sense. Supposed to be going after Copeland which makes sense. NY won't be able to match.

They met ith Millsap. Going hard after Mayo. Also interested in Budinger and Splitter.

All make sense.

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You]They met ith Millsap. Going hard after Mayo. Also interested in Budinger and Splitter.

All make sense.[/QUOTE]
Nice. I heard Budinger and Splitter had multiple teams looking at them.

Bobcats talking to Jefferson.

Yes. Sounds like lots of interest in Mo and Tinsley too. Foye and Demarre most likely to be back. I think Foye needs to go along with Al.

Stockton back in the summer league! Liked what I saw from him. Wonder if his dad will work with Burke like he did with Deron?