SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Utah Jazz have a commitment from free-agent guard Corey Maggette, two newspapers reported Monday.
Maggette will leave the Los Angeles Clippers and sign an offer sheet with the Jazz, agent Rob Pelinka told The Rocky Mountain News in Denver. The Salt Lake Tribune also reported the decision, citing unidentified sources.
But the Jazz refused to confirm any imminent deal, saying the team could not discuss free-agent dealings until Wednesday, the day NBA clubs can begin signing players.
Pelinka did not return phone messages left by The Associated Press.
Signing Maggette would not ensure he'd ever wear a Jazz uniform. The 6-foot-6 player is a restricted free agent, meaning the Clippers have 15 days to match Utah's offer.
Maggette averaged 16.8 points in 64 games for the Clippers last season. His backcourt teammate, Andre Miller, chose Denver over Utah.
If he joins the Jazz, the 23-year-old Maggette would reinforce a shooting-guard position Utah has had trouble filling since Jeff Hornacek retired in 2000. Maggette's scoring average has risen in each of his four seasons, from 8.4 points as a rookie with Orlando, to 10.0, 11.4 and 16.8 in his three seasons with the Clippers.
The Utah offer is expected to be for the maximum six years, the Tribune reported, but it's not known how much Maggette will be paid. With John Stockton retired and Karl Malone agreeing to play for the Lakers, the Jazz are $18 million to $20 million under the salary cap.
Source: AZCentral.com
Travis
