Lets get a big man NOW! It should be fun beating on an aging, depleted, less versatile Utah Jazz team! http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2001/0927/1255978.html <i>Stockton signs two-year deal with Jazz SALT LAKE CITY -- John Stockton, the NBA's all-time assists and steals leader, is staying with the only NBA team he has ever known. The Utah Jazz on Thursday signed Stockton to a multi-year contract and it appears the free agent guard will take a pay cut to stay in Salt Lake City. Terms were not disclosed, but the Salt Lake Tribune reported on Thursday that, because of salary cap and luxury tax restrictions on the Jazz, Stockton's new deal is believed to be worth $7 million to $9 million annually. The 39-year-old Stockton earned $11 million last season, when he averaged 11.5 points and 8.7 assists in only 29.2 minutes per game. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Stockton, who does not employ an agent, met with Jazz owner Larry Miller on Monday. Together, they quickly hammered out a deal. "It was important to me that the team not have to pay the (luxury tax) penalty," Stockton told the newspaper. "It was also important to Larry to be fair to me and -- in the long run -- everything worked out just fine." A first-round draft choice of the Jazz in 1984, Stockton would be returning for his 17th professional season. He has spent his entire career playing alongside Karl Malone, one of the best power forwards in the history of the NBA, and it appears both will now close their careers in Utah. The duo have formed the cornerstones of a franchise that twice made it to the NBA Finals and advanced to the Western Conference finals on three other occasions. Stockton has averaged 13.2 points and 10.8 assists in his career. He has 14,503 assists and 2,976 steals. </i>
Pasty Gangsta signed for less money? How much do you really think he's getting. Definite wink-wink deal.
