Trail Blazers sign Millsap to offer sheet

PORTLAND — Portland Trail Blazers signed Utah Jazz restricted free agent Paul Millsap to an offer sheet, reportedly a four-year contract worth between $32 million and $36 million.

ESPN.com reported that Millsap’s offer sheet includes a large signing bonus intended to make it difficult for the Jazz to match.

The Jazz, who have seven days to match the offer, have said for weeks that they plan on keeping Millsap.

Millsap, a third-year forward out of Louisiana Tech, averaged 13.5 points and 8.6 rebounds a game for the Jazz last season. He was expected to play a bigger role for Utah if the Jazz traded Carlos Boozer.

Trading Boozer now becomes a vital component to Utah’s plans of retaining Millsap, as it would clear enough cap space for Utah to match Portland’s offer.

On Thursday, the Blazers were mentioned as a potential trading partner with Utah in a deal that would send Boozer to Chicago, Tyrus Thomas to Utah and Kirk Hinrich to Portland. But those talks reportedly were stalled by Chicago’s insistence that Blazers’ guard Jerryd Bayless be part of the deal.

In other news Friday, the Blazers’ draft pick Patty Mills broke his right foot during practice and won’t play in the NBA’s summer league.

The Blazers said Mills fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during practice Thursday night. He will have surgery on his foot Monday. A timetable for the point guard’s return has not been determined.

"You never want to see a player get injured, but it is especially heart wrenching to see a young man go down on his first day of camp," Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard said. "We’ll do everything we can to help Patty get back on track to realize his NBA future."

Mills was selected by the Blazers with the 55th overall pick in the NBA draft last month out of St. Mary’s. The 6-foot, 175-pound Mills averaged career highs of 18.7 points, 4.0 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals during his sophomore season before deciding to turn pro.

The Blazers also exercised their option on coach Nate McMillan, extending his contract through the 2010-11 season.

"I’m excited that the option year on my contract has been picked up," McMillan said. "We have a great team, first-class organization and the fan support has been incredible. I would also like to credit the coaching staff for their hard work, and we’re all looking forward to working towards our goal of bringing a championship back to the city of Portland."