Jazz forward Carlos Boozer was surprised by news that coach Jerry Sloan had yet to decide who would be the team's starting power forward.

Sloan is still deciding between incumbent Boozer and Paul Millsap.

"I feel like I'm the starter," Boozer told the Deseret News on Sunday. "I think I've earned that. That's the only role I've been in my whole career."

The two-time All-Star has started each game he's played in four of his five seasons in Utah.

"I think it's great to have competition," he added. "You know, I think Paul is very good. I guess if we are competing, then we're competing for it. But I feel like I am the starter."

Boozer, who opted into the final year of his contract this summer before appearing to angle for a trade, said that last season's injury shouldn't be held against him.

"Obviously me being hurt, that hurt us a little bit. I think if I was healthy we'd have a higher seed (than eighth in the Western Conference) in the playoffs," he said. "But, at the same time, maybe it does (have an impact on his status).

"You know, I can't control having knee surgery. I had to have it. I tried to avoid it, but I had to have it," added Boozer, who first sustained a quadriceps injury and later underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. "So if it affects me from that respect then that's (Sloan's) decision."

Boozer added that while he wants to start, he'd yield some minutes to Millsap if it meant the Jazz would win more games.

Jazz forward Carlos Boozer is surprised that he's still with the team.

Boozer opted into the final year of his contract, but said in multiple interviews this summer that he expected Utah to trade him.

"Management brought me back so I'm here in town," Boozer told the Associated Press on Friday. "I'm ready and looking forward to playing."

At one point, Boozer claimed there was a mutual agreement between him and the team to work out a trade that benefited both sides.

A trade could still happen between now and the NBA's trade deadline in February, but the forward admitted that he shouldn't have been talking about potential trades this offseason.

"Sometimes you put your foot in your mouth," Boozer said.

Matt Harpring's $6.5 million salary is fully guaranteed for this season and the Jazz would see no salary cap/luxury tax relief were he unable to play, as the NBA requires a one-year waiting period following retirement in such cases.

The Jazz should be able to recover the majority of Harpring's salary from insurance if he misses at least half the season.

By keeping him on the roster, Harpring gives the Jazz a 13th player under contract as the NBA requires. He also could prove an attractive trade chip with an expiring contract.

The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that all indications out of Utah indicate Matt Harpring is headed towards retirement.

Harpring, an 11-year veteran forward, may not be able to overcome ankle and knee injuries.

He continues to suffer from a devastating infection that followed ankle surgery last summer as well as from the multiple knee surgeries during his career.

No official announcement has been made returning Harpring's future.

Alan Hahn reports on his Twitter page that a source says a rumored deal involving David Lee and Carlos Boozer is "not happening" and that the Knicks do not view Lee as a single-season rental.  

Lee is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Knicks before training camp opens at the end of this month.  The team will then plan to sign Lee to a long-term contract after the 2009-2010 season.

Earlier, Ric Bucher reported that Utah is looking to acquire Lee by working out a sign-and-trade deal with the Knicks.

"The Jazz have great interest in Lee and are still looking to move Carlos Boozer," Bucher said. "There would have to be other pieces involved, but with Boozer's contract expiring, that would make sense for both sides."

Greg Ostertag is looking to make a return to the NBA.

The former Jazz center, who retired from the game three years ago, was invited to work out for the Trail Blazers last week.

"I just miss it," Ostertag told the Journal-World.

"Watching the playoffs last year got me excited. My wife said, 'Why not go try it again?' One day I said, 'What the heck. I'll get in shape and get back on the court and give it a try.'

"I've got nothing to lose."

Portland is the only team that has entertained the idea of giving Ostertag a shot.

"I did all right. I'm rusty. I'd not picked up a ball seriously in three years," added Ostertag. "I have some cobwebs. The more I play, the quicker I'll get it back. Now I'm trying to get in good shape and get stronger. The basketball will come."

Jazz point guard Deron Williams knows that the team has some questions to answer entering the season.

For one, Williams is surprised that the team is bringing back 12 players for last year's team, which stumbled to an eighth-place finish in the Western Conference.

"It's a surprise, but it's out of my control," Williams told the Salt Lake Tribune.

The point guard did stress, however, that there is still time for the team to do some tinkering.

"There's still stuff that can be done, but right now, we've got the team we've got. That's what we're riding with right now. That's what you've got to go with," he added.

The biggest question mark entering the season will be power forward Carlos Boozer, who campaigned for a trade this summer, but remains on Utah's roster.

"I'm sure there's going to be a lot of questions that have to be answered, but a lot of that's from Carlos," Williams offered. "I've said I want to be here. I don't have any questions to answer."

Williams, the team's leader, added that he hasn't spoken to Boozer recently. He isn't sure how things will play out when the forward reports to the club.

"We won't know until we get there," Williams said. "I hope it doesn't cause any problems. I hope we can just start fresh and have a great year. As long as he's on our team, he's my teammate, and that's what we're riding with."

The Jazz are believed to have invited Ronald Dupree to training camp.

Dupree, a five-year NBA veteran, has spent time with the Bulls, Pistons, Supersonics and Timberwolves.

He finished the 2008-09 season with the NBDL's Flash and gives Utah an option in the event that Matt Harpring retires.

Karl Malone missed Friday's Hall of Fame induction ceremony, but surprised former teammate John Stockton and coach Jerry Sloan nonetheless.

Malone showed up for Saturday's night Hall of Fame dinner at the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino in Uncasville, Conn.

"My stepfather Ray is on life support," Malone told ESPN's Ric Bucher. "My family and I decided to get away from that for a few hours and come here and then go right back."

Stockton said in his acceptance speech that Malone missed the ceremony because of "an illness in the family." Malone will be eligible to enter the Hall of Fame next year.

"Stock left me messages all day today and wanted to know how things were going," Malone added. "I didn't text him back because I would've told him I was coming. We're only going to be here for three or four hours. It was just a respect thing. I came to get a hug from John and Jerry Sloan."

Matt Harpring wants to continue playing in the NBA, but the decision isn't his alone.

"I would love to play (this season)," Harpring told FanHouse. "I would love to play until I'm 50."

The forward is scheduled to have his Jazz physical on Monday, and doctors will have a large say in whether or not his career continues.

"We'll see once I get up there," Harpring added. "We'll have some MRIs and I'll talk to (doctors)... There's been talk over the past couple of years of whether I'm going to play (the next season)."

He has had more surgeries during his time in the NBA than he can even remember.

"I've had two micofractures on four different spots," recalled Harpring, saying he's had two microfracture surgeries and two arthroscopic surgeries on his right knee alone. "I've had probably 15 surgeries on (both) ankles... Well, maybe 10 or 11."