Just in time for the start of veterans' camp, the Utah Jazz got their first-round draft pick signed.
The Jazz announced Wednesday the signing of both draftee Greg Ostertag, the 7-foot center from Kansas, as well as veteran Antoine Carr, one of the key players from last year's team. Ostertag reportedly inked a three-year deal; Carr's is for two years.And then on Thursday, the team announced the signings of James Donaldson, the 38-year-old center who played 43 games with the Jazz last season in relief of the injured Felton Spencer, and Greg Foster, a 6-10 center who played for the Timberwolves and Bulls last season.
Carr said in a press conference at his home Wednesday afternoon that Orlando made him an attractive offer, but . . . "I love the people here; I love my teammates here. There's no way I was going to go down there if it was strictly about money."
Thursday's signings give the Jazz a roster of 15 players for camp, which opens Friday morning at Southern Utah University in Cedar City. As of Thursday morning, they were still awaiting word from another camp invitee, rookie center Charles Claxton from Georgia, as to whether he'd participate.
The roster includes just eight returning veterans - Carr, Donaldson, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Jeff Hornacek, David Benoit, Adam Keefe and Bryon Russell. Likely gone are Tom Chambers and John Crotty to unrestricted free agency, and Jamie Watson. Spencer remains on the injured list, recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
Crotty, contacted at his home Wednesday, said the Jazz haven't made him an offer yet.
"I don't know what they're doing," he said. "I'm surprised they haven't made me any offer at all."
The Jazz have also added swingman Andy Toolson, who played the 1990-91 season with Utah before defecting to Europe.
Also in camp are point guards Willis Chaney, a 5-10 rookie from Kentucky Wesleyan, and Howard Eisley, a 6-2 free agent; 6-6 rookie Reggie Jackson from Nicholls State; 6-7 rookie Terrance O'Kelley from Long Beach State; and 6-5 free agent Jimmy Oliver.