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By John English

Larry Miller joked that the starting power forward this fall for the Utah Jazz would be 12th man John Amaechi. Even though it was tom-foolery, lighthearted humor on Miller's part, that sends ice-water chills down the backs of Jazz fans.

The Jazz are in trouble when it comes to their roster. Matt Harpring is a great 2nd or 3rd option on a team, and Andrei Kirilenko is about two seasons away from having an All-Star year, but now they are the core. Corey Maggette has said he intends to sign, and barring the Clippers from matching the 6-year, $45 million offer reportedly out there for him, that still leaves gaping holes on the roster. Consider each position.

Point guard - Raul Lopez, Mo WIlliams
Larry Miller was very upbeat in a TV-interview over the weekend about Maurice Williams's workouts and he seems to believe their second round choice will make the team. Add to that their rookie Raul Lopez, a first-round pick from 2001 who is just now able to put on a Jazz uniform and play. Andre Miller was their #1 free agent pursuit, but he left for Denver. Gilbert Arenas is a possibility, but doubtful. They may just re-sign Carlos Arroyo, their third option at point from last year, and let the young guys swim with the sharks and see who emerges, a dangerous game to play in the Win-Now NBA.

Shooting guard - (Corey Maggette), DeShawn Stevenson, Sasha Pavlovic
If the Clippers don't match the Jazz offer to Corey Maggette, and with Mike Dunleavy as coach I think it'll be close, then the Jazz have a solid scorer at the 2-spot, and even if DeShawn has another disappointing year and the rookie Pavlovic is too green, Andrei Kirilenko spent about 15 minutes a game here last year. If the Clippers do match Maggette, it's another hole on the roster. They might give Calbert Cheaney another one-year deal if they lose Maggette.

Small forward - Matt Harpring, Andrei Kirilenko
Harpring was the steal of last year's free agency frenzy. In his third year, Kirilenko can only get better. This is the only position where the Jazz know they can leave it alone and they'll get at least 25 points a game from here every night.

Power forward - John Amaechi
This spot is a nightmare. They lost Karl Malone and got nothing in return (except cap space). The Jazz want Elton Brand, but even if they offer a six-year maximum deal, all indications are that the Clippers will match. On top of that, the Spurs are going to be fighting for any big man the Jazz go after, and where would a free agent rather go?

Center - Greg Ostertag, Jarron Collins, Curtis Borchardt
This is the last year of Ostertag's big contract, and behind him are two young centers with a history of health problems. I've read that the Jazz are trying to attract Brad Miller to come here, in which case they may order Collins to learn how to play the 4-spot.

The Jazz, perenially the Old Men's team, are about to get very young. They'll have four rookies on the roster, and at age 30, Ostertag is the oldest guy on the team. Jazz fans already seemed resigned to this being a lottery year, but the real question is this: can Jerry Sloan change his coaching style to develop these young players now that Stockton and Malone are no longer options?