Malone not likely to return to Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Mailman may be headed for a new neighborhood.

Free agent Karl Malone has narrowed his choices to a handful of teams and unless something changes quickly, the Utah Jazz don't appear to be one of them.

"They're all teams that are contenders and they're all teams that Karl would make a difference on," Malone agent Dwight Manley said Tuesday.

Even if the Jazz re-sign Malone, the team would hardly be considered a contender. Utah has failed to make it past the first round of playoffs the last three seasons with Malone and longtime teammate John Stockton.

Stockton set the Jazz's rebuilding plan into motion when he retired this summer after 19 seasons. Malone's departure would put it at full speed.

Manley would not specifically rule out Utah as a team Malone is considering, but the Jazz are trying to get younger after relying on Stockton and Malone for so long.

Manley would not identify Malone's new suitors, but said, "They would probably be the favorite if he were on the team."

Neither Jazz owner Larry Miller nor vice president for basketball operations Kevin O'Connor returned calls seeking comment Tuesday.

Malone met last week with the Los Angeles Lakers, who would definitely fall into the contender category after winning three titles in the last four years. Manley did acknowledge the Lakers were among the teams Malone was considering, depending on who else signs with Los Angeles.

"It's not just the Lakers that Karl is waiting to see what happens. There are other teams," Manley said. "He wants to make an informed decision and not speculate."

The two-time league MVP is willing to work cheap -- in NBA terms. He made $19.25 million last season, and as one of the league's top players for nearly 20 years he's likely financially secure.

Malone has mentioned defending NBA champion San Antonio, Dallas, Sacramento and the Lakers as possibilities. All four would give Malone a chance at a championship ring, which he has said is his top priority after 18 seasons without winning one.

Malone reportedly has said he'd be willing to take the veteran's minimum salary -- $1.4 million -- with the Lakers and join an all-star lineup including Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers may have improved their standing with Malone with the reports that Gary Payton will sign with the Lakers next week.

While that increases the Lakers' appeal, Manley said Malone still hadn't decided anything Tuesday. Malone was working at his Arkansas ranch and declining all interview requests, leaving the business to Manley.

Ideally, Manley said he and Malone would like to have the situation resolved by the end of the week, even though free agents can't sign until next Wednesday.

"We're still reviewing different proposals and flushing out some different pieces," Manley said. "It's a very short list."

 

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