That raises a significant question.

Do the Jazz have a logjam in the backcourt that eventually creates unhappiness over playing time, or do they possess unprecedented flexibility that will create matchup nightmares for the opposition?

At the Jazz's annual preseason media gathering Monday, coach Jerry Sloan pondered the possibilities, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "We'll see."

Typical.

While the Jazz are well-stocked at shooting guard and its feeder positions - small forward and point guard - Sloan plans to use the preseason for sorting out and establishing a pecking order.

Even then, Sloan will likely mix-and-match at the position throughout the long regular season, depending on who is playing well and how the Jazz match up against a particular opponent.

"We've got to take a look at some of these young guys and see who they are," Sloan said. "Hopefully they are a little better than they were a year ago."

In all, nine players among the 14 expected to make the regular-season roster have spent some time in the backcourt.

The list includes four players whose natural position is shooting guard - Gordan Giricek, C.J. Miles, Ronnie Brewer and rookie Morris Almond - in addition to five veteran players who can slide into the position if needed.

That group includes point guards Deron Williams, Jason Hart and Ronnie Price, and small forwards Andrei Kirilenko and Matt Harpring.

The battle for the starting job that was vacated when Derek Fisher was released from his contract will likely center around Giricek, Miles and Brewer. Almond is an outside possibility.

"We have a lot of people who can play that position," vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor said. "I think the biggest thing we need is some stability there. Hopefully, somebody will emerge."

Giricek, who averaged 7.8 points a game as Fisher's primary backup a year ago, arrived in Utah "about 10 pounds" lighter after spending the summer in Croatia.

"Oh, you can see?" he said. "I went on a special diet - just eating healthier."

According to Giricek, who weighed 222 pounds last season, a nagging Achilles' tendon injury motivated him to lose weight.

"I thought it would be easier for my legs and my Achilles'," he said. "And I think it might be. I feel light. I feel more explosive. So we will see how it goes on the court."

Said O'Connor: "He looks to be in terrific shape. It's amazing what happens when you're in your contract year."

Brewer, a first-round pick in the 2006 draft, believes the battle for playing time will benefit everyone.

"The addition of Morris allows us more depth and will make it more competitive," he said. "We're looking to push each other in training camp and make this team better. . . . I think it's going to be very competitive at that position."

luhm@sltrib.com