Marc Stein of ESPN reports that the Mavericks’ desire to include the dead weight salaries of Matt Carroll and DeShawn Stevenson slowed their talks with Minnesota to the point that the Utah Jazz look likely to win the bidding. Jazz CEO Greg Miller sent an optimistic tweet out Monday night:
I just approved a Jazz roster move that I’m very excited about. Planning to share details tomorrow.
Stein says that Utah appears more willing to take on Jefferson’s full contract.
Including Stevenson and Carroll would lessen the financial hit involved for Dallas in absorbing the three years and $42 million remaining on Jefferson’s deal, but sources say that Utah — apparently determined to replace Boozer’s inside scoring with Jefferson’s accomplished low-post game — has presented a more palatable offer to Minnesota.