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Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said Wednesday that there has been no progress in contract negotiations with center Kyrylo Fesenko.
"We're in the same place we've been since July 1," O'Connor said. "Nothing has changed."
The Jazz have offered the third-year center a one-year, $1 million qualifying offer. Fesenko is expected to accept the deal before training camp starts next Tuesday. But he has been shopping for a multi-year deal for more average money with another team during the interim.
Houston represents the most likely secondary option for Fesenko. However, the Rockets are in the running for free-agent center Erick Dampier, who is expected to decide Thursday between Houston, Miami and Denver. If Dampier does not sign with the Rockets, Houston could then offer Fesenko a deal in the range of two years for $4 million that Utah would have the opportunity to match.
Staying over
O'Connor said 23-year-old Croatian center Ante Tomic will play for Real Madrid this season, and will not take the court for the Jazz. The 7-foot-1, 240-pound Tomic was selected by Utah with the No. 44 overall pick during the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft.
Drawing Near
The Jazz are expected to soon finalize a deal with free-agent guard Earl Watson. Signing Watson is not contigent upon Utah either retaining or losing Fesenko.
Almost set
Utah is expected to finalize its training camp roster during the next couple days. Agent Leon Rose said Wednesday that rookie guard Ryan Thompson signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Jazz.
— Brian T. Smith
Twitter: tribjazz