FAYETTEVILLE — The Utah Jazz have until Oct. 31 to sign Ronnie Brewer to a contract extension.
If that doesn't happen, Brewer will become a restricted free agent after the 2009-2010 season, meaning any NBA team can sign him to a contract and Utah must match it to retain him.
"I enjoy Utah, the organization is great, the fans are great, we've got a good young team," said Brewer, a former Arkansas All-SEC guard. "I'd love to be there for many years, but at the same time, it's a business.
"All I can do is just play as hard as I possibly can and let everything else take care of itself."
Brewer will be paid $2.7 million by the Jazz this season, his fourth with the team. Last season, he averaged career highs of 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.7 steals in 32.2 minutes.
"There's a check-off list and we're kind of at that point right now," Jazz General Manager Kevin O'Connor told the Salt Lake City Tribune last month in reference to negotiating a contract extension with Brewer. "We like what Ronnie's done, certainly, and we'll have a conversation."
Henry Thomas, Brewer's agent, said there have yet to be any discussions.
"The ball is in the Jazz's court," Thomas said. "If they make the extension offer, we'll certainly consider it."
Sports, Pages 30 on 08/30/2009