"Even though he'll be 34 years old when next season begins, and 37 at the start of the last season in his new three-year deal with the Jazz, Kevin O'Connor has no concerns about Raja Bell's age.

The fact Jazz coach Jerry Sloan "really does a great job of monitoring minutes," O'Connor added, should ease any concerns.

By way of example, the Jazz general manager mentioned Bruce Bowen, the longtime San Antonio Spurs defensive specialist who played until he was 38.

He has no worries, either, that a wrist tendon tear prompting December surgery limited Bell to just six games with Charlotte and Golden State last season.

"I actually think it's better — less minutes on the legs," O'Connor said. "He keeps himself in terrific shape, and it wasn't a leg injury that he had. It was a hand. That can happen to anybody."

Bell, who previously played in Utah from 2003-05, reached agreement Wednesday on a three-year contract worth nearly $10 million.

He still must pass a physical exam to make the deal — for which the Jazz used part of the midlevel exception money, since they're over the NBA's team payroll salary cap — official.

Bell isn't expected to complete the physical until next week. If all's good, he should be reintroduced in Utah shortly after."