Boozer exercises player option, will return to Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Carlos Boozer has reconsidered free agency, or at least put it off a year.

Boozer let the Utah Jazz know on Tuesday that he will stay with the team for the final year of his contract rather than opting out and becoming a free agent -- which he once said he intended to do.

Boozer backed off his original statement and said when the season ended he wanted to consider all of his options.

He chose not to chance an iffy free agent market for more money and possibly a long-term deal, taking the $12.7 million he's guaranteed next season from the Jazz.

Boozer took until the final day to reach a decision.

Utah was still waiting Tuesday to hear from center Mehmet Okur, who also had the option to return for the final year of his contract.

When healthy, Boozer has been the Jazz's top scorer and rebounder and helped lead Utah to three straight playoff appearances. He's been an All-Star twice and was a member of last year's U.S. Olympic gold medal team, but injuries have taken him out for large chunks of three of his five seasons in Utah.

"We are excited that Carlos has decided to remain with the Jazz," general manager Kevin O'Connor said in a release. "We are hopeful he can continue to play at an All-Star level and will have an injury-free season."

Boozer has averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds since Utah signed him away from the Cleveland Cavaliers as a restricted free agent five years ago, but has only played in 276 of a possible 410 with the Jazz. He was limited to 37 games last season, due largely to an injury that required surgery on his left knee in January.

Utah learned Monday that reserve shooting guard Kyle Korver exercised his option to play out his contract for $5.2 million.