Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune reports that Jazz guard Jason Hart has exercised his $2.5 million player option through the 2008-2009 season.

Despite a disappointing season with the Jazz, Jason Hart has exercised his option to return for the 2008-09 season, agent Bill Neff said Wednesday.

Hart ended the season out of the rotation as the team’s No. 3 point guard.

Hart will make $2.484 million next season. He had until June 30 to decide about the option, but Neff said there was little debate with Hart likely having to accept a minimum contract ($1.070 million) as a free agent.

Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor said he had yet to receive the paperwork, although O’Connor is away attending the NBA predraft camp in Orlando, Fla. Neff said it was signed and mailed last Thursday.

“This past year, [Hart] probably would have liked to have played more and we would have liked for him to have played more,” O’Connor said. “But he’ll get the chance to come in and compete for a position again next year behind Deron [Williams].”

Neff said there had been no talk of a buyout, although that could change closer to the July 1 start of free agency.

“There’s always that hope,” Neff said. “That’s a big investment for a third guard, so you always have that. In this day and age, to give someone close to half the midlevel [exception] and then not play him isn’t that wise.”

Posted By: Dustin Chapman

Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune suggests that star guard Deron Williams is expected it sign a contract extension with the Jazz this summer that reaches the end of the 2013-2014 season.

As early as a minute after midnight on July 1, the Jazz can offer Deron Williams a five-year contract worth upwards of $80 million, a deal that could keep the third-year guard in Utah through the 2013-14 season.

It would be a defining moment for the franchise, but if Saturday was any indication, it should be little more than a formality.

“That’s the plan,” Williams said. “I definitely love it here. I think we have a great team, a great coaching staff and have a chance to win. That’s the thing that’s most important to me.”

“That would be an important thing for this franchise,” Jazz coach Jerry Sloan added, “and I think that’s the direction they probably are leaning. I don’t think they’ll let him get away.”

Williams said he would discuss the extension with his agent this summer. The extension would not kick in until next season, but the Jazz can offer Williams more money – and sooner – than any other team.

The question is whether Williams would follow the path of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, opting to sign a shorter three-year extension.

Williams has made his case to be a maximum contract player, averaging 18.8 points and 10.5 assists as a second-team all-NBA selection. Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor said owner Larry Miller would make the final call.

The Jazz’s exclusive negotiating window with Williams runs from July 1 to Oct. 31. Williams said he would like to finalize a deal before USA Basketball training camp in late July.

This past season, Williams posted career-highs in scoring (18.8 PPG), assists (10.5 APG), steals (1.1 SPG), blocks (0.3 BPG), field goal percentage (50.7%), free throw percentage (80.3%), minutes (37.3 MPG), and games played (82) to solidify his mark as one of the top point guards in the NBA. Throughout Utah’s 12 2008 postseason outings, Williams rose his game to another level with averages of 21.6 points, 10 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 50% from beyond the arc.

The third-year sensation is inarguably one of the most diverse point guards the NBA has seen over the past decade, and turning 24 years of age this June, he is only going to get better in time.

From John Stockton to Deron Williams, the fans of Utah have been rewarded with quite a treat.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman