Font ResizeA year after they declined the third-year option in former first-round draft pick Morris Almond 's contract, the Jazz elected to continue their investment in center Kosta Koufos , exercising a $1.3 million option Friday to bring back Koufos for the 2010-11 season.
"We feel like he needs improvement, but I think it's the responsibility of our franchise to show patience with a big guy," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said.
Koufos played in 48 games as a rookie, averaging 4.7 points and 2.9 rebounds. Even in his second year, Koufos was the 10th-youngest player on an opening night roster in the NBA and won't turn 21 until Feb. 24.
"I appreciate the extra commitment the Utah Jazz has given me," Koufos said. "I'm here to work hard and [have] the extra year to just work hard every day and just stay focused and get better."
After spending just one season at Ohio State, Koufos was the No. 23 pick in the 2008 draft. By exercising Koufos' option, the Jazz now have more than $58 million committed to eight players for the 2010-11 season.
That doesn't take into account re-signing Ronnie Brewer or the potential lottery pick the Jazz could receive from the New York Knicks. Some projections have the NBA's luxury-tax threshold dipping as low as $61.2 million next season.
K orver update
Two days after undergoing knee surgery in New York, Kyle Korver rejoined
"I'm encouraged now, just walking around a little bit," said Korver, who will be re-evaluated Nov. 9. "I'm not trying to jump or anything, but I feel like I can walk around on it."
Korver had surgery to remove a bone spur from his left knee as well as a flap in the groove where his kneecap slides. Most significantly, Korver finally got an answer for what was wrong after he was forced to sit out all but one preseason game.
"That's the biggest thing," Korver said. "I've played in pain before, and especially after last year with the wrist and stuff, I really just want to have a year where I can really play.
Korver said any talk of a timetable for his return would be "just a guess right now." He first felt pain in his knee while playing in September before the start of training camp.
Briefly
According to the NBA's survey of opening night rosters, the Jazz rank as the league's sixth-youngest team, with an average age of 25.93. The league average is 27.74. Northwest Division rivals Portland and Oklahoma City are two of the five teams with younger rosters than the Jazz. ... C.J. Miles (thumb surgery) will have the cast on his left arm removed Nov. 9 . ... Korver revealed that he dressed up for Halloween last year as Deron Williams -- more accurately, "D-Will in college," complete with a fat suit, Illinois jersey, wig and fake panther tattoo on his arm.
