John

Stockton

''Maybe not the day after our last playoff game, but maybe a week after that, I’ll ask him to let us know because we have to make plans either way,’' owner Larry Miller said. Utah expects to have as much as $30 million to spend on free agents once contracts expire on July 1, but the Jazz cannot make a move until Stockton’s and Karl Malone’s contract status is resolved. Stockton says he has not made up his mind yet what he will do.

Stockton just missed a triple-double in his last two games, but Matt Harpring stole most of his assists tonight, finishing with 10.

There may be 20 or more candidates for the job and Utah is still compiling names as part of their “exhaustive” search for Tyrone Corbin’s replacement, but Stockton is an intriguing option in light of his Hall-of-Fame career with the Jazz. Other candidates who have been linked to Utah include Jim Boylen, Adrian Griffin, Quin Snyder, Ettore Messina and current Jazz assistant Brad Jones.

He is still defying the odds by putting up solid numbers at the point guard position.

None of Utah’s starters played more than 26 minutes. Stockton had seven points, four assists and two steals before taking a seat.

Stockton was most noted for his amazing passing skills, quick hands, and longevity. His 15,806 assists is a record that might never be broken and he racked up a staggering 3,265 steals in the course of his career. Much of this can be attributed to the fact that in 19 seasons (all with the Jazz) he missed a total of 22 games. Stockton made two NBA Finals appearances but lost both times to Jordan’s Bulls. Stockton will be inducted alongside the only coach he knew in the NBA, Jerry Sloan.

Stockton certainly had the ability to play another year or two, but he’s decided to call it quits at age 41. The 19-year veteran averaged 13.1 points, 10.5 assists and 2.2 steals per game for his career. He’s the NBA’s all-time leader in both assists and steals, and he played in every game in 17 of his 19 seasons.

With the Jazz down big, Stockton and Karl Malone were both removed with five minutes remaining and received a big hand from the Sacramento crowd.

Fittingly, the 10th assist came on a pass to Karl Malone. It was the 16th time this season that Stockton has collected 10 or more assists in a game.

Stockton finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 11 assists.