By Doug Alden
The Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller is upset with Karl Malone again, this time over a story suggesting he might play elsewhere next season.

Sports Illustrated reported this week that Malone's wife, Kay, plans to go househunting in San Antonio and Los Angeles this June in preparation for a possible move from the only NBA city Malone has ever played in. Malone will be a free agent this summer.

Miller vented his anger during the Jazz's pregame television show and later in a meeting with reporters, saying this is no time for Malone's future to be an issue because it could disrupt the team's focus as the Jazz head into the playoffs for the 20th consecutive season.

Malone and Miller have had public spats before, from Malone hinting he might wanted to be traded to talking about leaving as a free agent the last time his contract ran out.

"I've put up with them. I'm not going to put up with them now. If he wants to get into a (public shouting) contest, let's go," Miller said. "To throw disruptive hand grenades is not right. It's not fair to his teammates. It's not fair to the coaches. It's not fair to the franchise. It's not fair to me."

Miller took particular issue with Malone's comment that Miller did not have the courage to tell him when it may be time for him to leave Utah. Miller said he had been honest and forthright with Malone throughout their relationship, and he was hurt that Malone would insinuate otherwise.

Miller said his first choice continues to be having Malone finish his career in a Jazz uniform and break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA career scoring record.

But he said he would understand if Malone decided to play elsewhere to further his unfulfilled quest for a championship.

Malone has maintained all season that he won't decide until after the playoffs whether he will be playing for the Jazz or anyone else next fall.

"If he's got issues, we can talk about them," Miller said. "The end of the season is the time to do this kind of stuff, not as we get ready to go into the playoffs."

Miller would also like to see Jazz guard John Stockton return for a 20th season, but the veteran guard's status is even less clear than Malone's. Stockton, who turned 41 last month, has said he will decide on his future within a couple weeks of the season's end.

"I have felt that John was much more tenuous than was Karl," Miller said. "I have felt most of the season that he would be back, but I've also seen little signs that make me think maybe he's really come to grips with the timing."