Jazz still deciding on DeMarre Carroll

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Jazz General Manager Kevin O'Connor confirmed to the Salt Lake Tribune on Saturday morning that the organization indeed has a team option on small forward DeMarre Carroll, an option the Jazz are still deciding on.

There had been some confusion on this issue. But Carroll emerged from his exit interview with the team confident that he will remain with the organization for next season.

"He should be confident," O'Connor said. "He did a lot of good things for us this year. He hustled, he played defense and he provided a spark."

The Jazz have until June 30th to decide their team option on back-up point guard Jamaal Tinsley. It is believed that Utah has to make a decision on Carroll the same day.

O'Connor, when asked, only said that the day is "coming", in refrence to the decision on Carroll. He added that he liked what both players accomplished in their roles this past season.

Tinsley's fate may be affected by next Thursday's NBA Draft. If the Jazz take a point guard with their second round pick, Tinsley's chances of staying with the organization would significantly drop.

"Jamaal is a pure point guard and he can run a team," O'Connor said. "He was valuable for us this season."

Carroll spent time in the starting lineup this past season, carving a role as a glue guy who didn't need shots to be effective. He came off the bench when Ty Corbin went to his three-big lineup, featuring Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors. Still, he made an impact this season, and proved to a large degree that he is capable of playing in the NBA.

Tony Jones