Utah Jazz: Not the only NBA team interested in Maggette

The Corey Maggette sweepstakes are on, and the Jazz are just one in a pack of plenty of teams with interest in the longtime Los Angeles Clippers swingman.

The Boston Globe reported Wednesday that the NBA-champion Celtics already have made a contract offer to Maggette, one of the top available free agents in the league's summer shopping market.

The San Antonio Express-News — citing "two NBA sources, one from each conference" — reported Wednesday that that Spurs were "preparing to make an offer to Maggette."

And Yahoo! Sports reported late Tuesday night that the San Antonio Spurs "have targeted" Maggette "and are the front-runners to sign" him, citing multiple unidentified league sources.

It remains to be seen, however, if that report turns out to be premature.

It's also not known if the Jazz have prepared an offer, though they were identified Tuesday by the Los Angeles Times as having expressed interest in the 28-year-old shortly after the market opened late Monday night.

Even beyond those three, the list of suitors is long.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Wednesday that the Miami Heat "also has expressed interest in Maggette;" the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported Wednesday that Maggette is among three outside free agents the Hornets are "targeting;" and Maggette himself reportedly has expressed interest in possibly returning to the Orlando Magic, who previously were identified as having interest as well.

However, none of those teams — including the Jazz — can offer more than full mid-level money, which is a five-year deal starting at upwards of $6 million per season.

That specific figure won't be set by the NBA until sometime next week.

That being the case, ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan reported Wednesday night that before making a decision, Maggette — who opted out of a contract with the Clippers that would have paid $7 million next season — may wait to see if there is any proposal from an under-the-cap team that can offer more than that mere mid-level money.

Maggette, according to ESPN.com, "could emerge as a top target" of under-the-cap Philadelphia if the 76ers ... "are unable to sign restricted free-agent forward Josh Smith away from the Atlanta Hawks."

"Yet," ESPN.com also reported, "Maggette could also wind up as a target for the (Golden State) Warriors, who without (Baron) Davis' salary suddenly have the financial flexibility to re-sign prized youngsters Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins and make a splashy signing or two from the outside."

Whether or not money ultimately influences where Maggette goes, however, remains to be seen.

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