Another summer league is about to start and it looks like C.J. Miles is going to be a no-show -- again. Isn't this akin to professional suicide? I like C.J., but I think he's getting bad advice from his agent. Besides, aren't there insurance policies available that would cover him financially in case he suffered a career-ending injury in summer league play?

-- Saul Saldana, Burley, Idaho

Answer:

The simple answer to your question is, yes, Miles should have played in the Rocky Mountain Revue last year and he should be preparing to play this year.

Without a doubt, young role-type players improve most in the offseason and exhibition season, when they are not glued to the bench during games and practice time is limited by the NBA's grueling schedule.

Miles missed that opportunity to improve by not playing in last year's summer league, and the fact he got off to a slow start during the regular season magnified his decision to sit out (and irritated coach Jerry Sloan).

That said, I can understand the predicament facing a player like Miles, who didn't have a signed contract in his pocket during last year's summer league and probably won't be signed in time for this year's Rocky Mountain Revue.

If a player like Miles gets hurt in a summer league game -- without having the protection that a guaranteed contract provides -- he could cost himself more money than most people make in a lifetime.

As a result, playing or not playing is a tough call for someone like Miles, who has averaged four points in 120 games over three seasons with the Jazz.

Utah has again tendered Miles an offer sheet, so the Jazz can match any offer he gets from another team this summer. I believe they want to keep him. Despite his limited contribution so far, he is 21 years old, an outstanding athlete and owner of a defense-stretching jump shot.

At the same time, Miles plays a position where the Jazz are well-stocked. If he gets a multiyear offer from another team, vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor and Sloan might decide not to match it.

Suppose the Jazz allow Miles walk away.

Who is left behind to play shooting guard?

Certainly, Ronnie Brewer's dramatic improvement last season makes him a player the Jazz won't want to lose. Former No. 1 draft pick Morris Almond also remains a young player in Utah's plans, despite spending most of last season in the D-League.

At this point, I'd list Brewer and Almond ahead of Miles on the Jazz's future depth chart.

Now, throw veteran Kyle Korver into the mix, along with other multi-position players like Andrei Kirilenko, Matt Harpring and Ronnie Price. They can all rotate into the shooting guard positions against certain teams.

To me, it seems obvious that the Jazz will not match a big contract to keep Miles, even if they would like to do it.

Supposedly, Detroit and Dallas have interest in Miles. If the Pistons or Mavs offer a contract worth millions of dollars over three or four years, I doubt if Utah will match it because the Jazz believe Brewer and Almond are better long-term investments.

As far as the final part of your question is concerned, players and teams can buy insurance against career-ending injuries. But I understand it is quite expensive and cost-effective only for players in the highest tax brackets.

Now, an aside the the Miles' situation.

During the playoffs, I was walking out of EnergySolutions Arena with C.J. after a shootaround and, mostly to make conversation, I asked if he was coming back to Utah next year.

Yes, he said, although he had already heard there were some teams had already expressed an interest to his agent in signing him.

Nothing wrong with that, of course, except teams are supposed to be prohibited from talking to another team's contracted players (or their agents) until July 1.

Otherwise, it's called tampering, isn't it?