Tim Buckley of the Desert News reports that the nine-year relationship between swingman Bryon Russell and the Jazz seems destined to soon come to a close, Russell's representative suggested Monday.

"It's not likely that he'll be back with Utah," agent Dwight Manley said two days before the NBA's free-agent summer signing period is scheduled to open.

Manley would not elaborate on the reason for the rift, but it is believed the Jazz have shied away from even trying to re-sign their starting small forward in both the 1997 and '98 NBA Finals.

Negotiations were scheduled for today regarding forward Donyell Marshall, whom the Jazz have identified as their top free-agent signing priority of the offseason.

Manley apparently made a contract proposal last week, and the Jazz later countered with an undisclosed offer.

As of Monday afternoon, however, the two sides appeared to be far apart on issues including both salary and contract length.