Jerry Sloan Signs On For 2009-10

The Jazz won't have to head into the summer wondering whether this will be the long-rumored summer decades-long head coach Jerry Sloan steps aside, as Sloan and the team have agreed to a one-year extension covering the 2009-10 season.

Of course, Sloan could walk away this summer if things don't feel right heading into next season. Right now, the Jazz risk missing the playoffs while Carlos Boozer tries to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery just completed in late December. But you'd figure -- since Sloan needs no security -- he wouldn't sign on if he didn't think he'd be back.

If this isn't the year for the Jazz, next season could be brighter ... and it's possible Sloan sees that. Heavy rumors suggesting Utah might trade Boozer before he becomes a free agent this summer mean the Jazz could get the help in the backcourt the team needs to regain its status as top contender.

The Jazz could use improvement in a wing rotation that includes Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Miles, Matt Harpring and Kyle Korver. Deron Williams is the only truly great shot creator on the team; Andrei Kirilenko can make plays as well, but a wing who can set up himself and others could really really help Williams and newly minted star Paul Millsap in the ledger. You can't expect Mehmet Okur's hot streak to last forever.

And while curmudgeon might be one of the first words we associated with Sloan's name, he hasn't gotten nearly enough accolades for the way in which he settled his personality battle with Kirilenko over the past 2-1/2 years. Kirilenko has fit his new role, and Sloan deserves mad respect for helping that process along.