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Teams began negotiating with NBA free agents last night at 10 p.m. Mountain, with several reports surfacing relating to the Jazz and their efforts to fill out a youthful roster. This morning's Tribune story says the Jazz will target veterans to supplement the young core the Jazz are building around.
Big Al to Charlotte? • Al Jefferson, the Jazz's leading scorer and rebounder, was linked to the Charlotte Bobcats by reports from CBSSports.com and the Charlotte Observer. Jefferson, 28, is seeking a maximum contrac and the Bobcats sorely lack interior scoring. However, according to Rick Bonnell of the Observer, Bobcats' executive Rod Higgins has expressed a lack of interest in signing a big-name free agent just to show progress. Jefferson averaged 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds last season and was named the Western Conference Player of the Week the final week of March.
Mutual interest in Tinsley return • The Jazz reached out to representatives of veteran point guard Jamaal Tinsley Sunday night, according to sources, apparently reciprocating the interest the 35-year-old has in rejoining the Jazz. The Tribune reported Saturday that Tinsley's first choice was to re-sign with the Jazz. He would likely fill the role of a third point guard and mentor Trey Burke, a role Tinsley finds appealing.
Mayo noise • According to a tweet by Sam Amick of USA Today, the Jazz are one of seven teams in pursuit of Dallas guard O.J. Mayo. Mayo is a 25-year-old shooting guard who averaged 15.3 points and 4.4 assists last season. It's unclear what signing Mayo would do to the future of Randy Foye, the free agent shooting guard who set Jazz franchise records in 3-pointers attempted and made last season. Foye said after the season that he hoped to return to Utah. UPDATE: According to reports, Clippers coach Doc Rivers is pushing hard to get Mayo.
Chris Copeland perhaps a target • Another report links the Jazz to New York Knicks free agent Chris Copeland. ESPN New York's Jared Zwerling reported the Jazz were one of the first two teams, the other was the Lakers, to reach out to Copeland. The 29-year-old averaged 8.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in his first NBA season after spending his career in the D-League and in Europe. UPDATE: Copeland's agent told The Tribune that he expected to further discuss Copeland with Jazz executives Monday afternoon. Newsday's Al Iannazzone reported other Copeland suitors include the Indiana Pacers and the Dallas Mavericks.
Korver Brooklyn bound • If the Jazz had any interest in bringing small forward Kyle Korver back to Utah, there wasn't hardly any time to make a pitch. According to reports, it's "in the bag" that the NBA's top 3-point shooter is reuniting with Deron Williams in Brooklyn. In January, Korver expressed a willingness to consider a Utah return and was a possibility given the team's emphasis on improving outside shooting. The fan favorite who left the Jazz to sign with the Chicago Bulls in 2010 remains active in the community through his foundation. UPDATE: Williams posted this photo to his Instagram account.
Mo Williams update • The future of starting point guard Mo Williams became doubtful at best when the Jazz acquired Trey Burke on Thursday. Then, his agent clarified a report that said Williams had "demanded" a starting role in order to return. Still, Williams either wants to start or play sixth man minutes off the bench and neither role makes much sense for him in Utah. Chicago, however, could be a different story. RealGM reported Monday morning that the Bulls could be targeting Williams, as well as Detroit's Will Bynum, for backcourt help.