The 40-year-old John Stockton proved he can still play by averaging 13.4 points and 8.2 assists last season. But once Stockton came out the game, the Jazz had a hard time keeping up his pace with John Crotty and Rusty LaRue. Entering training camp, the Jazz are faced with the same problem as they currently don't have any veteran backup on the roster. The Jazz signed second-year point guard Carlos Arroyo this offseason, but while Arroyo has potential to become a decent point guard, he still needs more seasoning before assuming the backup point guard duties full-time.

With five new faces, and perhaps a sixth soon coming, the Jazz really are a rather tough team to read.
     
Like a novel that starts slow and may or may not get good by the end, it's tempting to just close the cover and toss it toward the pick-up-later pile.
     
But before you do, consider this: Every tale worth telling has a few issues that keep you wondering what's next.
     
And this one is no different.
     
That in mind, here are 10 questions facing the Jazz as they prepare to open training camp Tuesday ? and 10 possible answers that may keep you coming back...

Karl Malone dropped in to see Larry H. Miller earlier this month, a low-key visit to the Jazz owner's home that sets an important tone for the upcoming season.

The two will have a huge decision to make next summer regarding the Mailman"s future when his four-year, $67 million contract expires. Malone plans to play beyond that, but it's unlikely either Miller or Malone know whether that will happen in a Jazz uniform.

It's a perplexing question driven by Miller's mandate to build for the future -- and complicated by a maze of NBA rules.

Just knowing the "Malone Question" is out there could bring dark clouds into training camp if the Mailman is worried or concerned.

But he made it clear that wouldn't be the case.

Mark Jackson's second stint with the Nuggets was even shorter than his second tour with the Knicks. Jackson finalized a buyout agreement with Denver yesterday and is expected to sign with the Utah Jazz, according to a source.

Jackson, 37, was traded to Denver three months ago along with Marcus Camby for Antonio McDyess. The veteran point guard was included in the deal to make the trade work under salary-cap rules. The Nuggets then informed Jackson that he could try to sign elsewhere.

When contacted yesterday, Jackson refused to comment on his future. If Jackson does join Utah, he would give the Jazz the most prolific point-guard combo in league history. John Stockton has an NBA record 15,177 career assists while Jackson is fourth on the all-time list with 9,840 assists. If Jackson plays a full season, he will pass both Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson.

Veteran point guard Mark Jackson was waived Friday by the Denver Nuggets, paving the way for the Utah Jazz to sign him.
     
At least, assuming the Jazz are so inclined. Jazz officials haven't publicly admitted interest in Jackson, but the rumor is it's all but a done deal.
     
NBA rules stipulate that a released player must remain on waivers for 48 hours. During the waiver period any team may claim him, but if they do, they will have to pick up the two remaining years on his four-year, $16-million contract.

Thursday was a busy day for the Utah Jazz, who signed two players, announced their camp roster and were rumored to be on the verge of signing a veteran point guard.
     
Maybe Mark Jackson.
     
The Denver Post reported Friday that the Nuggets were negotiating to buy out Jackson's contract. He is slated to make $4.2 million this season and $4.5 million next season (which includes a $2.25 million buyout option).
     
If a buyout happens, Jackson could be claimed off waivers by another NBA team. Assuming he clears waivers, he would become an unrestricted free agent, meaning he would have to be paid at least the $1 million veteran's exception.
     
The Jazz apparently have expressed interest in Jackson, who played for the Knicks last season and came to the Nuggets in a trade this summer with Marcus Camby and Nene Hilario for Antonio McDyess, Frank Williams and a second-round pick.

On his first visit to Salt Lake City, Raul Lopez, the Utah Jazz's first-round pick in the 2001 NBA Draft and the man many look to as the heir apparent of all-cosmos point guard John Stockton, had an important question for Coach Jerry Sloan. On a tour of the Jazz facility in the days leading up to this summer's Rocky Mountain Revue, Lopez was introduced to Sloan during a morning practice session.

"Coach," he asked, "can I play?"

That's the question many Jazz fans have been asking ever since Lopez was selected with the 24th pick: can he play?

Jazz point guard Raul Lopez will have surgery Saturday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The 2001 first-round draft choice played professionally in Spain last year but injured his knee four games into the season.

After rehabilitating from that injury, he returned to play the end of the season for Real Madrid, only to re-injure the knee last month while playing with the Spanish national team.

Although he is expected to miss the entire 2002-03 Jazz season, he will sign a three-year contract with Utah before undergoing the surgery.

Training Camp Roster...

The Jazz make plans to retire Jeff Hornacek's jersey.
   
Commentary: Ignoring Adrian Dantley's contribution to the franchise is not funny anymore. Dantley averaged 30.6 points for the first Jazz playoff team in 1984 and was an All-Star when the Jazz had little else going for them.
   
Dantley's feud with coach Frank Layden and subsequent trade to Detroit was all rather bitter. The ironic part of this whole thing is Layden is now a Dantley advocate and team owner Larry Miller is upset with Layden for having left the Jazz and become a New York Knicks consultant.