The Jazz were the first team to express interest in restricted free agent Paul Millsap at the start of the negotiating period Tuesday night, with general manager Kevin O'Connor calling at 10 p.m., according to Millsap's agent, DeAngelo Simmons.

Simmons called O'Connor a "class act" for the gesture, adding, "I think it was great that they called and expressed their interest. That's good on their part."

As for which team called second, Simmons would not say. He spoke with several teams, most of whom wanted to talk about how Millsap would fit in their system, but Oklahoma City was one of the teams that called.

"Nothing concrete in stone," Simmons said. "A lot of guys called. They were preliminary conversations,

Jazz Blog
Steve Luhm and Ross Siler offer more insight on the Jazz and the NBA in their blog. The latest:
opening the door and expressing their interest. A lot of them were highly, highly interested."

Simmons said he didn't get into talking money with teams, although he is seeking a contract in the $10 million a year range for Millsap, who finished fourth in voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award last season.

Simmons thought Millsap would strike a deal in the coming days. Asked if it could be today, he said, "You never know. Some of the teams were pretty eager and some were just sharing their thoughts."

The Jazz have the ability to match any offer to Millsap, who made a league-minimum $797,581 last season.

The team does face payroll considerations with Tuesday's decisions by Carlos Boozer and Mehmet

Advertisement
Okur to return instead of opting for free agency, but O'Connor has been unequivocal that the team will retain Millsap in the face of the luxury tax.

rsiler@sltrib.com