The Pistons will monitor the situation in Utah closely this off-season.



The Utah Jazz roster is in a state of flux, with free agency possible for forward Carlos Boozer, center Mehmet Okur and shooting guard Kyle Korver, and the restricted free-agent status of power forward Paul Millsap.

The thinking is the Pistons might be able to acquire a player from the Jazz if it is dead-set against paying the NBA's luxury tax.

Greg Miller, who heads the family that owns the Jazz, was emphatic to KSL-TV in Salt Lake City last weekend that the team will pay the tax if it means keeping Millsap. There's still uncertainty about whether Boozer, Okur and Korver will return or opt out of their deals and become free agents.

The Pistons expect to be about $20 million under the salary cap this summer.

The salary cap is expected to drop to about $57 million next season, but more important, the luxury-tax threshold is expected to fall to $68 million, which kicks in a penalty for every dollar over the threshold.

It's expected the Pistons would have little interest in Korver, who had surgery Monday to remove scar tissue from his right wrist, but with a serious need to upgrade the frontcourt, a case could be made for Boozer, Okur and Millsap.

Speculation has centered on the Pistons' interest in Boozer when free agency begins July 1. If he returns to Utah, he and his $12.6-million salary might be trade bait. And Miller didn't seem as committed to Boozer.

"We'd love to have Carlos here," Miller said. "Carlos is a very talented player. I think he would be one who would be considered a marquee player. But I do have concerns about Carlos' defense, and I have some concerns about his ability to lead the team."

Okur, a part of the Pistons' 2004 championship, could be a target if he opts out, since 7-footers who can shoot are rare.

If the Pistons make Millsap an offer, the Jazz would have the right of first refusal.

Please get Mehmet Okur back on Pistons. He getting old but still good.

I want Utah's roster, sans Booz...

AK47 with a non-Jerry Slone coach, with that team...

Millsap, Williams, Okur, Kirlenko... It is amazing they haven't won more, until I see their coach and their PF...

I'd rather have Sloan then curry any day.

I guess Boozers better than nothing