Last month Luther Wright promised the Jazz that if he was selected by Utah in the NBA draft he would report in time for training camp.
True to his word, the 7-foot-2 center will be in town when the Jazz's summer camp opens Friday. The Jazz and their No. 1 draft pick agreed to contract terms Tuesday afternoon.The pact will become official Thursday, assuming Wright passes a routine physical. While Jazz officials won't discuss the terms of the deal, Wright's agent, Sal Difazio, said it's a five-year contract worth more than $5 million, although the entire amount is not guaranteed.
"Getting him in camp will help him a great deal," said Scott Layden, Jazz director of basketball operations. "There's a long orientation period in the NBA. This will help him get used to the coaching staff, the system and the new city so he won't have to come into veterans camp cold."
Wright becomes the first Jazz first-round pick to show up to summer camp from the start since Karl Malone in 1985. Blue Edwards signed and joined the team midway through summer camp in 1989. "It's refreshing," Layden said.
Wright is listed at 270 pounds but weighed in at 313 prior to the draft. Layden feels Wright has plenty of time to work himself into shape, however. "Being in camp shows that he wants to do what is necessary to get himself into playing shape."
Wright, the No. 18 pick in the draft, played two years at Seton Hall where he averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots. Last season, as a junior, he ranked third in the Big East in blocked shots (2.2 bpg), seventh in rebounding (7.5 rpg) and averaged nine points on .535 shooting from the field. He helped the Pirates to the Big East regular season and tournament titles.
Utah now has three seven-footers on their roster as Wright joins Jazz veteran Mark Eaton and newly acquired Felton Spencer. In addition, third-year pro center Ike Austin is under contract with the Jazz.
"It will be very competitive in camp (at the center position)," Layden said. "It will be a healthy situation with each one getting the opportunity to compete for playing time."
With the top draft choice signed, Layden said he will now look at bolstering the Jazz through the free agent market.
Layden said Larry Krystkowiak, who played for the Jazz last season, and Tom Chambers, most recently of the Phoenix Suns, are the two players the Jazz are most interested in.