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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, July 17, 2009

NBA: Millsap stays put as Jazz matches Blazers' offer


Advertiser Staff

The Utah Jazz announced on the team Web site that the team would match the Portland Trail Blazers' offer to Paul Millsap, meaning the team will retain the services of the power forward who was a restricted free agent.

The Blazers made a four-year, $32 million offer to Millsap last Friday and the Jazz had seven days to match the offer or allow him to become a Blazer.

Utah had said it would match any offer to Millsap, providing it wasn't out of reason. The Blazers' offer was structured to give Millsap $10.3 million up front, due within seven days after the contract was signed.

According to the Oregonian, Millsap's contract will push the Jazz well over the $69 million luxury tax threshold, which penalizes teams a dollar for every dollar over the threshold.
The report said Utah's roster is now at $80 million, more than $11 million over the threshold, meaning Jazz ownership faces a $22 million luxury tax.

However, the Jazz is still attempting to trade Carlos Boozer and his $12.75 million salary. Boozer admitted that the Jazz told him that they would be looking to go in another direction without Boozer, 27.