July 31, 1999
SportsLine wire reports
Karl Malone never had to stray from
the Utah Jazz to get his career pay day.
Related Links:
Jazz 1999-2000 schedule T O P N E W S
On the first day of free agency, Malone, one of the best power forwards in the history of the NBA, re-signed with the Utah Jazz. The four-year deal is worth a reported $67 million, according to the Salt Lake City Tribune.
The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player is 36 years old, but that did not stop owner Larry Miller from awarding him the maximum money allowed in a four-year deal for a player with Malone's experience.
"It's by far the largest contract in terms of money in Jazz history and I think its very fitting it goes to Karl," Miller said. "I think it's only right that a player that has done all he has in the NBA, but especially for the Jazz, gets his due, relative to his contract."
The new collective bargaining agreement allows Malone to receive $14 million next season, plus annual 12 percent raises over the next three seasons.
Malone, who turned 36 eight days ago, completed a four-year deal worth $20.2 million, capping it with his second MVP award in the last three seasons.
"I would like to say thanks to the Jazz organization," Malone said. "It's a special day in my life. Today is a nice day for Karl Malone and his family but once Monday gets here, it's back to training."
"This is a great day, a grand day for our franchise," added Scott Layden, Utah's vice president for basketball operations. "What a great way to start the free agency period and what a way to start building our team for next year. You couldn't be more excited than to sign the best free agent in the market."
An 11-time All-Star and original Olympic Dream Team member, Malone became the ninth multiple winner of the league's MVP award last season. He won his first MVP award in 1997, when he led the Jazz to their first trip to the NBA Finals.
"It's impossible to quantify the value of the relationship that he has not only with this franchise, but with me and my family," Miller said. "It's been called a father-son relationship and it's had its ups and downs, like family relationships do, but whatever label you put on it, I call it special and I call Karl special."
 | |
| Karl Malone reportedly signs the richest four-year deal he possibly could.(AP) |
Malone played in 49 of 50 games last season, missing one due to suspension. He averaged 23.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.27 steals to lead Utah to a 37-13 record. He was named to the 1999 All-Defensive First Team and ranked third in scoring, 11th in field-goal percentage (.493), 13th in double-doubles (21) and 14th in rebounding.
But the season ended on a bitter note for Malone when Utah was eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals by the Portland Trail Blazers. In the series-clinching loss, Malone finished with a career playoff-low eight points on just 3-of-16 shooting and is still chasing his elusive first NBA title.
"I have one goal now," he said. "My one goal is to win a championship. I started something here 14 years ago. I'm not saying it's gonna happen, but I know what I have to do to get ready."
The 14-year veteran ranks fourth all-time in points (28,946), fifth in field goals (10,683), eighth in scoring average (26.1), third in free throws made (7,511), fifth in defensive rebounds (8,876) and ninth in minutes played (41,661) in NBA annals.
"I'm gonna continue to play this game I love," Malone said. "I've had an opportunity to come from a little down in Louisiana to come here and sign a contract like this today. My main goal after today is to continue training and doing the things that enabled me to come down this road."
Jazz guard John Stockton, the NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals, also is a free agent and is expected to re-sign with the team.
Forward Shandon Anderson and guard Jeff Hornacek are the other prominent Jazz players who became eligible for free agency Saturday night.
Copyright 1999 SportsTicker Enterprises, L.P.