Guard Jason Hart has exercised his $2.5 million option to remain with the Jazz next season, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

He had a disappointing season, finishing as the team's number three point guard. He had until June 30 to decide, but his agent claims that the decision wasn't a hard one.

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

There is still a chance that the team could look to buyout Hart, who would have likely had to settle for a minimum deal ($1.07 million) elsewhere.

"There's always that hope," agent Bill 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."

RealGM Note: Hart 'deserved' a salary of $1.14 million and therefore had a Reina Value of -55%.

The Jazz expect forward Paul Millsap to be off the court for the next six weeks after successful surgery on his thumb Friday, according to The Deseret News.

He will be re-evaluated in two weeks in order to determine the treatment for the following month. If that timetable remains true, Millsap could be ready to play during the team's Summer League in July.

He will wear a cast for the next two weeks.

Carlos Boozer struggled during the postseason, and the Jazz could look to deal him before he has the ability to opt out of his contract in 2009 and become an unrestricted free agent, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

Rumor has it that the Miami Heat are beginning to target Boozer should he exercise his early-termination option next summer, which may lead Utah to deal him for something in return.

Boozer also owns a home in South Florida, further adding to the speculation that he wouldn't mind joining Pat Riley in Miami.

However, it's still possible that Boozer could remain with the Jazz and re-sign for a maximum contract after exercising his clause next summer.

Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap will undergo surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb this Thursday, Jazz general manager Kevin O?Connor announced today.

Millsap injured the thumb in the Game Six loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on May 16.  Following x-rays, Jazz physician Dr. Lyle Mason preliminarily diagnosed the thumb injury as a torn ulnar ligament.

If Pat Riley and the Heat win No. 1 pick in Tuesday's lottery, he's put Derrick Rose ahead of Michael Beasley, according to the New York Daily News.

He needs a point guard and he's targeted Utah's Carlos Boozer as a candidate for a free-agent signing down the road, perhaps even next summer.

RealGM Note: Boozer has a $12.65 million player option for the 09-10 season and is coming off a season in which he 'deserved' to make $16.36 million according to our FIC metric.

Jazz point guard Deron Williams is expected to re-sign with the team through the 2013-14 season, according to a report in The Salt Lake Tribune.

Utah can offer Williams a contract extension on July 1, when the NBA's negotiating period begins.

"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."

The deal could be worth as much as $80 million.

"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."

While Joe Dumars allowed Pistons' Assistant Coach Terry Porter to interview with the Phoenix Suns about their coaching position, he will not grant the Bulls the same access to fellow assistant Michael Curry, leaving GM John Paxson no choice but to move on in his search, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune is reporting.

The Bulls received permission to talk to Jazz assistant Tyrone Corbin and will also seek permission to interview Lakers' assistant Brian Shaw.

Acccording to the Salt Lake Tribune, via the East Valley Tribune, Suns' GM Steve Kerr has received permission to speak with Jazz' assistant coach Phil Johnson about the team's coaching vacancy.

Utah was eliminated by the Lakers on Friday night, meaning the interview can take place sometime soon.

Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers withstood a late Utah Jazz rally to take Game 6, 108-105 on Friday night, to advance to the Western Conference finals, as reported by Yahoo.com.

Trevor Ariza could re-join the Lakers on the court in the very near future, according to The Los Angeles Daily News.

"I definitely feel like I can play, but it's not really my decision," Ariza said. "It's a good feeling. I just want to come in and play if I get a chance and see what happens."

He claims that he's healthy enough to play right now.

"My foot feels fine," Ariza added. "I don't feel any pain."

Coach Phil Jackson doesn't think he'll play Ariza on Friday night in Game Six against the Jazz but recognizes his progress.

"He looked good," Jackson said. "He looked more comfortable than he did the other day - Tuesday - the last time he played. We're just going a day at a time with this. We hope he continues improving day by day."