Utah Jazz: Boozer won't consider contract extension until offseason

BOISE — The Jazz have discussed contract extensions with the camps of both starting power forward Carlos Boozer and starting center Mehmet Okur, general manager Kevin O'Connor said during the team's opening session of training camp here Tuesday morning.

But Boozer doesn't plan to decide anything until next offseason, including whether to extend or pursue opportunities in the free-agency market, he said before the Jazz's evening workout.

"We're going to enjoy this season and play basketball," Boozer said. "I look forward to having an opportunity to win, and hopefully win a championship.

"We're gonna let (contract matters) slide, so it's ready to be dealt with in the summertime," he added Tuesday night. "Right now we have an opportunity to play basketball, and have fun doing that, so we're going to focus on that."

Both Boozer and Okur are eligible to opt out of the final year of their current deals after the coming NBA season.

But neither player, in fact, is anywhere near close to striking a deal.

"We've had some conversations with him (Boozer) about it," O'Connor said. "And, look: As far as I'm concerned, I feel Carlos wants to be here. And as far as we're concerned we certainly want him to be here, and then we're going to address it accordingly."

Asked Tuesday if he expected to continue talks with Boozer during the season, O'Connor said, "We might have some, but probably not."

Such also seems to be the case with Okur, an All-Star in 2007 who is in the fifth season of a six-year, $50 million contract.

"We've had a little bit of conversations, but same thing (as Boozer)," O'Connor said.

Boozer, an All-Star the past two seasons, currently is in the fifth year of a six-year, $68 million deal.

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E-mail: tbuckely@desnews.com

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