In successive days, two former Jayhawks flew the Jazz coop.
On Monday, reserve point guard Jacque Vaughn, Utah's 1998 first-round draft choice out of the University of Kansas, signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks — no great loss from the Jazz's perspective, since they didn't intend to re-sign him anyway.
On Tuesday, however, one free agent the Jazz did want back got away.
Reserve forward-center Danny Manning agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $3.2-million with the Dallas Mavericks, squashing the Jazz's hopes for re-signing the former Kansas star who was the No. 1 overall selection in the 1988 NBA Draft.
"It was a tough call, because the Jazz were great to him," said Manning's Chicago-based agent, Mark Bartelstein. "And I think he really enjoyed playing for (Jazz coach) Jerry (Sloan), and with John (Stockton) and Karl (Malone) and those guys."
Manning is expected to play a reserve role with Dallas, which eliminated the Jazz from the first round of this year's NBA playoffs. The Mavs have long sought his services, including a bid last offseason, when he instead signed with Utah.
"We are excited about bringing in Danny," Mavs owner Mark Cuban said via e-mail, his preferred form of communication. "It's going to be much more fun watching (him) make shots for us rather than the daggers he threw at us in the playoffs.
"One of our challenges was depth off the bench," Cuban added, "and Danny definitely brings that to the table."
The move, according to Jazz basketball operations vice president Kevin O'Connor, leaves Utah "about the same place" it was before Manning decided to dart for Dallas.
"After evaluating the (just-concluded) summer league, and after the signing of John Amaechi," O'Connor said, "I think we feel more comfortable that we have a well-rounded offensive team."
The Jazz did want Manning back in the fold, but apparently not if it meant offering him a long-term deal. Now, Utah must decide if it will instead pursue another free agent on the open market.
"We'd like to look and see what's available," O'Connor said, adding affordability is not the only factor that will be considered.
"I don't think it's as much economics," he said, "as 'Do we already have
better players than are out there?' "
Backup center Greg Ostertag — yet another ex-Jayhawk from Kansas — is slated to come back for the Jazz, though trade rumors involving his name have swirled throughout the offseason.
Starting center Olden Polynice is not expected to return, as the Jazz have indicated they do not plan to re-sign him.
The Jazz recently signed Orlando Magic free agent Amaechi, who will see time at the center spot and also could back up Malone at power forward.
Starting small forward Donyell Marshall may see some time at the 4 spot too, as could third-year forward Scott Padgett, who will be fighting to retain his roster spot when training camp opens in October.
Then there's promising Russian rookie Andrei Kirilenko, who primarily is a small forward, but also could play power forward in a limited capacity.
Padgett acquitted himself well in the recent Rocky Mountain Revue, bolstering his hopes of sticking with the Jazz. The summer-league performance, O'Connor said, did nothing but aid the former University of Kentucky star's cause.
"When you play well, you always help yourself," he said. "The last three (of six) games, he played well."
Manning, meanwhile, opted out of the final year of his contract with the Jazz, which would have been worth $1.32-million in the coming season.
Money, Bartelstein indicated, was a component in Manning's decision: "To a degree," he said. "Obviously, there a lot of things you look at, and the finances are a part of it."
But a bigger factor, Bartelstein added, is the long-term security Manning, 35, feels he will have with the Mavs.
"I think it came down to Danny wants to play for three or four more years, and Dallas offered him the best opportunity for that," he said. "We thought it was just a better fit for him."
The Jazz were unable to offer much, if any, more money than he would have made had he not opted out. Moreover, it seems they didn't want to offer any long-term guarantees.
"They made it clear to Danny they would like to have him back," Bartelstein said, "but, after talking to Kevin (O'Connor) about it, and knowing that Danny wanted to get his family settled somewhere . . . we agreed that (Dallas) might be a better situation."
E-MAIL: tbuckley@desnews.com