Carlos Boozer doesn't expect to be playing for the Utah Jazz this season. Just two weeks ago, Boozer opted to remain with the Jazz for the final year of his contract. But the two-time All-Star told a Chicago radio station Tuesday he expects the Jazz to trade him. "The Jazz told me they want to go in a different direction and I respect their decision," Boozer said Tuesday during an interview with WMVP. "We mutually agreed to work out a trade that was beneficial for them and beneficial for my family and me. So with that being said I'm gonna be traded relatively soon or in good time." Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor did not return messages seeking comment Tuesday. Boozer had an option to void the final year of his contract, but decided on the final day to stay with the Jazz for the guaranteed $12.7 million rather than risk losing money in a tight free agent market. The Jazz already appear headed above the luxury tax threshold, especially if they match Portland's four-year, $32 million -- including $10.3 million up front -- offer to restricted free agent Paul Millsap. Utah has until the end of the week to decide whether to keep Millsap. Boozer has averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds since Utah signed him as a restricted free agent five years ago, but has only played in 276 of a possible 410 games with the Jazz. He was limited to 37 games last season, due largely to an injury that required surgery on his left knee in January. "I've had a couple of spells, injuries that I can't control but my body feels 100 percent," Boozer told WMVP. "I'm healthy and doing really well. I'm looking forward to next season so much to prove to everybody that I can play through the whole season and at the same time to dominate again, so I'm looking forward to it."
I hope that happens. It makes no sense. Deron Williams starting, they just re-signed Ronnie Price...do they plan on playing him at the 2? That's some 2-guard. It'll mess up the Jazz. Which is why I hope it happens
How does not moving Boozer prevent them from keeping Milsap? The title of the thread should be Boozer WILL Be Traded.
Part of me thinks the Blazers did this to screw over the Jazz. I have a feeling the Blazers really had no intention of keeping the guy, even if Utah did not match.
Utah's taking out a loan to match Portland's offer to Paul Millsap, so they're obviously pushing hard for Millsap to be their man at power forward next season. They may be waiting on the Millsap situation to unfold before making a move with the Bulls. If Millsap stays put, they'll ship Boozer to Chicago.
I wouldn't expect O'Connor to do so, even though everyone knows. If Boozer is somehow still on the Jazz when training camp breaks, the Jazz will sit him ice cold until he's traded. The chances of that happening are very close to zero. Put this in the bank: The Jazz will match & keep Milsap and Boozer will be gone, likely very soon.
Can Portland still take on Hinrich's salary after their offersheet to Millsap? If they can then that's a brilliant move by Pritchard, if they can't then they'll lose out on both Hinrich and Millsap.
They could take Hinrich in a trade after signing Milsap, but the Bulls want Bayless in part of the package. The Blazers don't want to give him up.
Doesn't Boozer talking make it tougher for the Jazz to get a good deal? If I'm a GM in talks with the Jazz about acquiring Boozer then I'm trying to squeeze a little more out of them now that there's no turning back.
And there's the problem, as you probably agree. The Blazers want to get. They don't want to give. A long streak of good drafting and good luck has made the Blazers greedy, methinks.
It could be a matter of watching Bayless in summer league to see if he learned anything last season. He's been talking the right talk and his humility is refreshing, but if he doesn't show an ability to play within an offense, the Blazers may do this trade after Vegas is over. No reason to be hasty.
I have to believe that Boozer ticked off Larry Miller and/or Jerry Sloan some time in the past 6 months. All year we get nothing but signals and strong hints that Boozer is going to opt out, that he has his eye on Detroit and their cap space, that he pulled the classic pending free agent move of getting voluntary surgery done midseason instead of playing through it to ensure that he was fit and healthy for potential summer suitors. Then he pulled a 180 and didn't take his opt out. What I suspect: Detroit let it be known to his agent that they were splitting their ~ $19M into two free agents, with Ben Gordon being an equal priority to a forward. That meant Boozer was not going to see the max, but a paycut. He opts in to take his guaranteed $13M and his chances in 2010. BUT - Utah front office is probably well aware at this point that his loyalty to the team is virtually nonexistent and he's simply counting his days before leaving to the highest (non-Jazz) bidder. Shades of McGrady, anyone? Better to move him now and ensure that you enter the season with a roster of players that are focused on winning games for the Jazz and not simply wooing visiting scouts. Evan
