-- Vern Della-Piana

The Jazz led the NBA in rebounding percentage last season, so I don't think that's the need. They could have upgraded with a backup big man, especially given Mehmet Okur's struggles in the playoffs last season, but Collins has been here for six years and knows the system.

The list of affordable big men who changed teams this summer -- Jamaal Magloire, Mikki Moore, Adonal Foyle, Jake Voskuhl, Scot Pollard -- isn't earth-shattering. Not surprising that the Jazz were unable to make a move. Collins, incidentally, comes cheap at $2.35 million this season.

The Jazz did draft a project big man in the second round in Fesenko. He has miles to go in refining his game but he's got to rank in the top 1 percent of athletic 7-footers. He does anything but lumber up and down the court and needs two players to box him out for rebounds.

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Question:

Could you let me know what you feel will happen with Dee Brown where the Jazz are concerned? --Scott Henderson, Bloomington, Ill.

Answer:

The Jazz are trying to do the right thing by Brown. He has a qualifying offer, but only about $25,000 is guaranteed. They feel like he earned the right to come to camp on the basis of playing in the Rocky Mountain Revue. But there's no job for him with Hart and Price on the roster.

If another team shows interest in Brown, the Jazz would agree to withdraw his qualifying offer and leave him an unrestricted free agent, which would facilitate signing elsewhere. Brown's best bet might come in going to camp with the Jazz and then signing with the NBA Development League.

There's no guarantee he would wind up in Orem with the Flash. Players sign with the D-League, not with individual teams, and then go into a league-wide draft. No matter where he ends up, Brown would always be a phone call away from going up to the NBA on a 10-day contract.