‘More Mileage’ (Gus Ruelas - Associated Press)

A week ago Friday, sitting in a watering hole in New Orleans, reflecting on another week of summer school with my fellow teachers, I received the following text message from my brother: OKC giving Miles 4 mil a year. The offer tendered to the gifted but relatively unproven Miles came as a surprise. A larger shock wave hit when the Jazz matched the offer, apparently committing to Miles for the next several years.

What did the Utah brain trust have in mind when they made the move to keep Miles? The Texas native essentially lost his spot in the rotation when the Jazz traded for Kyle Korver in December. So why give Miles money that could eventually be added to the Save Boozer fund? Perhaps the Jazz intend to deal Miles, not wanting to find themselves empty handed when CJ walks out the door. Or maybe the Jazz really do plan to make Miles a significant part of their future.

Assuming the Jazz keep Miles, they practically have an obligation to play him. Otherwise, they are wasting money. This thinking violates the very principals by which Jerry Sloan runs his team. Sloan would give playing time to a short order cook if he thought the man would hustle, defend, and run the offense. But Miles proved he could produce in the weeks before the Korver trade, so more playing time may benefit the team.

Like several of his teammates, Miles can conceivably play at the two or the three spot. If CJ lights it up from the perimeter this year, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, and Andre Kirilenko could all see their minutes trimmed slightly. Looking toward the future, however, the investment in Miles might say more about Matt Harpring than anyone.

Sure to be remembered as one of the most beloved Jazz players in recent history, Harpring does not factor into the franchise’s long term plan. Unfortunately, Harpring will be impossible to replace. He is a battering ram, a workhorse, linebacker. Sometimes you watch Harpring and conclude that he belongs somewhere between the hash marks on a frozen field in Green Bay, Cleveland, or Buffalo. Then you see him curl at the elbow, catch and shoot in a single motion, and snap the net with such precision that you’re sure the hardwood is the only place Matt Harpring was ever meant to be.

Harpring squeezes the absolute maximum out of his body, paying a price in bruises and floor burns. Yet his body will ultimately fail him, as it must eventually fail every athlete. When that happens, the Jazz may recall the Miles signing with satisfaction.