It would be a defining moment for the franchise, but if Saturday was any indication, it should be little more than a formality.

"That's the plan," Williams said. "I definitely love it here. I think we have a great team, a great coaching staff and have a chance to win. That's the thing that's most important to me."

"That would be an important thing for this franchise," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan added, "and I think that's the direction they probably are leaning. I don't think they'll let him get away."

Williams said he would discuss the extension with his agent this summer. The extension would not kick in until next season, but the Jazz can offer Williams more money - and sooner - than any other team.

The question is whether Williams would follow the path of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, opting to sign a shorter three-year extension.

Williams has made his case to be a maximum contract player, averaging 18.8 points and 10.5 assists as a second-team all-NBA selection. Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said owner Larry Miller would make the final call.

The Jazz's exclusive negotiating window with Williams runs from July 1 to Oct. 31. Williams said he would like to finalize a deal before USA Basketball training camp in late July.

C.J. to stay?

After three seasons with the Jazz, C.J. Miles describes himself as almost like brothers with Williams. Miles, Ronnie Brewer and Paul Millsap are the "Three Amigos," so described because if you see one of them, you'll likely see all three.

His first preference would be to stay with the Jazz, but Miles is expected to go through a second summer as a restricted free agent. The Jazz are expected to tender him a $1.2 million qualifying offer that would enable them to match any deal Miles would sign.

"Of course, I feel like right now the best thing for me is to be able to play consistently and more minutes to help myself and my game to be able to grow even more," Miles said. "I think I've shown as far as the coaches and especially to myself that I can play in this league."

Miles, 21, averaged 5.0 points in 11.3 minutes this season, often bouncing from the starting lineup as an injury replacement to the 11th man on the bench.

With his free-agent future uncertain, Miles opted not to play in the Rocky Mountain Revue last summer. Miles said he didn't think the Jazz would ask him to play in this year's summer league.

The Jazz have a surplus of young shooting guards with Brewer, Kyle Korver and Morris Almond, which could leave Miles expendable. "You could look at that that way," Sloan said, "but you can't throw away your future just because of numbers."

Counting Miles, the Jazz would have 14 players under contract. O'Connor prefers not to fill the 15th spot on the roster in case he has to take back an extra player in a two-for-one trade. The Jazz also own the No. 23 pick in the June 26 draft.

Personnel file

The Jazz are expected to exercise the third-year option in Millsap's contract before June 30. Jason Hart faces a similar deadline to decide about opting out of the second year of his contract, worth $2.5 million.

Both Chicago and Phoenix have requested permission to speak with assistant Tyrone Corbin for their head coaching vacancies, while the Suns have inquired about assistant Phil Johnson.

With Miles' qualifying offer, the Jazz have a payroll of $62.5 million for 2008-09. The league's salary cap for this season was $55.6 million and its luxury-tax threshold was $67.9 million.

rsiler@sltrib.com