Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports: A disenchanted John Amaechi, claiming the Orlando Magic "gave me no choice but to leave," said Thursday he was joining the Utah Jazz. Amaechi's deal with the Jazz is worth about $11 million over four years.

"It's a shame," said Amaechi, speaking from his off-season home in Phoenix. "I wanted to stay, but Gabe [Magic General Manager John Gabriel] told my agent he'd be more comfortable with me finding another team. I just want to make sure that people in Orlando know I didn't go running off to another team. I like Orlando. I didn't run off."

Amaechi, however, said he could not wait for the Magic and risk losing the Jazz's offer.

It was doubtful that the Magic would have matched it, especially in the number of years Utah was offering Amaechi. It was believed Orlando was offering him a two-year, $7 million deal. Amaechi turned down a six-year, $14 million deal last summer with the Los Angeles Lakers to return, signing a one-year, $600,000 contract with the Magic. He said he was surprised with the club's hard-line business stance, considering its history of rewarding players' loyalty.