Katz Bothered That Erving Is Talking With Jazz

Philadelphia 76ers owner Harold Katz said Thursday he thought he had a firm deal with Julius Erving and is shocked to learn that Erving is considering an offer from the Utah Jazz.

“I want to hear this from Julius,” Katz said at Rider College, where the 76er rookies and free agents are playing in a summer league.

Katz, who recently returned from a vacation in Europe, said that before he left, he “sat with Doc for an hour-and-a-half, two hours. We had a nice chat. I understood he wanted a one-year contract. We had a firm deal.”

Since then, Erving visited with Jazz owner Larry Miller in Utah and listened to a $3.5-million proposition for a two-year deal.

Miller asked Erving to let the Jazz present an offer sheet, which the 76ers would have 15 days to match or lose the player. Erving has promised to let Miller know by Monday if he wants the offer sheet.