This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

C.J. Miles is sticking around.

The Jazz picked up his $3.7 million team option for the 2011-12 season on Wednesday. He would have become an unrestricted free agent if Utah declined the option.

"Thank all the fans for the support and the organization for belief that [I] can help this team. … Now I'm back to work," Miles said on his Twitter account.

The Jazz also picked up options for Gordon Hayward ($2.7 million) and Derrick Favors ($4.7 million) during the 2012-13 season. Utah holds team options on both players through 2013-14, while the duo possess player options in 2014-15.

Miles, 24, has played all six of his NBA seasons for the Jazz. The 6-foot-6, 232-pound small forward was selected by Utah with the No. 34 overall pick in 2005 out of Skyline High School in Dallas.

Miles averaged career highs last year in points (12.8), rebounds (3.3) and minutes (25.2), playing in 78 games and starting 19. He scored a career-high 40 points March 16 against Minnesota, shooting 14 of 18 from the field and 6 of 7 behind the 3-point line.

Miles split time between the small forward and shooting guard positions, and is expected to compete with Raja Bell, Gordon Hayward and Alec Burks for minutes and shots next season.

By picking up Miles' option, the Jazz have likely finalized an 11-man roster heading into either a lockout or free agency. And Miles has received another chance to prove his worth to Utah.

"We're expecting big things," Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said. "He's still a young kid, but we think he can step up and help others with his experience. … He's very versatile and can do different things for us. He can change the game when he's committed, and he's got a lot of talent."

Miles has also been plagued by inconsistency.

Miles was just 8 of 32 from the field during a three-game stretch April 3-7, and connected on only 16.7 percent of his threes during his final six games of the season. Corbin openly challenged Miles during the slump, questioning his dedication to both sides of the game, and the forward's season ended April 13 against Denver with a did-not-play mark because of a left knee injury.

The decline captured the unpredictable duality of Miles' season and career. He single-handedly carried Utah to a come-from-behind road victory against Portland on Nov. 20, 2010. Miles was 7 of 10 beyond the arc, pouring in 25 points while knocking down a series of breathtaking shots. But he hit just 40.7 percent of his field goals and 32.2 percent of his threes during the year, recording lows not touched since his 2006-07 campaign. Miles also struggled with his confidence throughout the season, and was shaken by the unexpected midseason trade of longtime friend Deron Williams.

Miles left his 2010-11 exit interview declaring that this was the most important offseason of his career.

He's been given another year to show the Jazz that he deserves to stick around for the long term.

"It'll be good to have him back," Corbin said.

bsmith@sltrib.com Twitter: @tribjazz facebook.com/tribjazz —

Miles' numbers

FG% 3% FT% Pts Reb Ast

2010-11 .407 .322 .811 12.8 3.3 1.7

Career .427 .333 .785 8.3 2.2 1.3