Jazz Get Al Jefferson from T-Wolves

The Utah Jazz have found the person they hope would be able to plug the hole caused by the departure of Carlos Boozer after the team reached a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves for center-forward Al Jefferson. The T-Wolves decided to let go of Jefferson after reaching deals with Darko Milicic and Michael Beasley in the prior weeks.

Jefferson was deemed expendable by the Timberwolves because of his slow-down type of style, which contradicts with the running game that the team envisions under new coach Kurt Rambis. Minnesota was also looking to unloaded $42 million of the $65-million contract signed by Jefferson in 2007, when he was traded by Boston, along with several other players, in the deal that made Kevin Garnett a Celtic.

Jefferson is expected to paly in Utah the role vacated by Boozer, who opted to join the Chicago Bulls earlier this month. Jefferson has averaged at least 16 points in each of the last four seasons, one with the Boston Celtics and three with the T-Wolves.

Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor said the team was happy to acquire Jefferson despite giving up “significant assets” for the deal to push through. “We look forward to watching him progress with our team,” O’Connor said.