Carlos Boozer News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 4

Salt Lake Tribune

"Forty seconds into the second half Tuesday, Carlos Boozer picked up his third foul playing Dirk Nowitzki along the baseline. He headed back to the bench with his fourth personal not even three minutes later, again on a foul involving Nowitzki. As he sat in the locker room after Nowitzki's 29-point fourth quarter doomed the Jazz to defeat, Boozer couldn't help but feel powerless in trying to defend the former NBA MVP. "It seemed like either he made his shot or he was shooting free throws," Boozer said. "It felt like we couldn't be physical with him, couldn't touch him too much without them calling a foul on us. "Obviously, he was aggressive, he's a great player, but I felt like we were ..."

Sloan pays defense for Boozer

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November 4

The Deseret News

"The Jazz haven't playing much defense at all lately. But Jerry Sloan has been, and he spent part of Tuesday night defending — and dwelling on — Carlos Boozer in particular. "Everybody wants to take a shot at him because of the things that happened over the summer," Sloan said of Boozer, who — after spending the offseason opting into the final season of his current contract with the Jazz, then talking about wanting to play elsewhere — has struggled in Utah's first four games of the season. "I just told him (before the season) you have to come and play, and play through those things, and that's easier said than done. "Instead of criticizing somebody else, everybody's gonna criticize him," ..."

Boozer looks to get going

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October 30

The Deseret News

"After watching him open 1-for-11 and wind up shooting 3-for-14 in Wednesday night's season-opening loss at Denver, Deron Williams' advice to Carlos Boozer would be to simply shake it off. "It's the only thing you can do," the Jazz point guard said. Yet that's much easier said than done. Though it seemed as if he was fading backward on many of his missed jumpers against the Nuggets, neither Boozer himself nor Jazz coach Jerry Sloan suggested the woes could be attributed to anything mechanical. And while it may have looked as if he were shooting with lead weights in his Duke backpack, as a certain ESPN commercial might prompt one to wonder, it wasn't that, either. What then? "There's a lot ..."

Couldn't be happier with Boozer

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October 26

The Deseret News

"Remember the tumultuous summer? The trade talk? Open flirtations with Chicago and Miami? The distraction that Carlos Boozer was perhaps going to be in this, the final season of his six-year Jazz contract? The Utah Jazz have put it behind them and are raving about how Boozer has acted this preseason, according to general manager Kevin O'Connor."

Spanish reporters quiz Boozer about summer

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October 10

Salt Lake Tribune

"Even 5,250 miles away from Utah, Carlos Boozer couldn't escape a question Thursday from a Spanish reporter about his controversial summer following the Jazz's preseason victory over Real Madrid. As translated, the reporter prefaced his question by saying it was a difficult one, but one he had to ask. With so much talk about playing in Detroit and Miami over the summer, he said it seemed as if Boozer was more out of Utah than in Utah. Given that he's still in Utah, the reporter asked Boozer how he felt to be back, what about the things that were said by the organization, and does it affect how he feels about being with the Jazz? "Not at all," Boozer said. "I'm happy to be back in Utah. ..."

Boozer Has Moved On From Trade Talk

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October 6

Yahoo! Sports

"The Bulls and Jazz are set to play their preseason opener in London today, a coincidental pairing in that, back in July, the Bulls were rumored to be trading for PF Carlos Boozer(notes), and Boozer went on a Chicago radio station supporting such a move. But, on Monday, Boozer said that was all well in the past. "That's over, though," Boozer told the Salt Lake Tribune. "That's summertime. Stuff happens like that in the summer. Everybody's moved forward. Everybody's on the same team they were on except for guys that did get moved this summer. For me, I'm happy to be part of my team and looking forward to getting going.""

Booz's still here (oops) — let's hope it works

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October 4

The Deseret News

"Let's get one thing out of the way from the get-go. A couple of months ago, right after the Utah Jazz signed Paul Millsap to a four-year, $32 million deal, I wrote that Carlos Boozer would soon be traded away, sent packing to Miami, Chicago or one of those other NBA destinations that the much-maligned power forward seemed to be yearning for this summer. He was Traded Man Walking, wasn't he? Surely he'd be outta here right after the signing of Millsap, an up-and-comer who performed so well in Boozer's injury-plagued absence last season. There was no way the Jazz were gonna keep both Boozer and Millsap, whose signing sent them soaring over the NBA's salary cap and sets them up for a hefty ..."

Boozer is 'happy to be here'

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October 4

The Deseret News

"A national sports writer visited Utah last week to do a feature on what he described as "the awkward relationship between (Carlos) Boozer and the Jazz these days." The lengthy article by Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears gave a wider audience an interesting overview of the ongoing saga — from the infamous raise comment to the offseason trade ordeal. Boozer also revealed to him why he didn't attend the viewing and funeral for the late Larry H. Miller after the Jazz owner passed away in February. Other teammates didn't attend, but Boozer's absence in particular, team sources told Spears, "raised the eyebrow of some in the organization." Boozer explained his reasoning. "Funerals are a tough thing ..."

Battle for starting forward spot news to Boozer

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September 28

The Deseret News

"When training camp opened Saturday, coach Jerry Sloan made it known he had not yet decided if incumbent Carlos Boozer or backup Paul Millsap will start the 2009-10 NBA season at power forward for the Jazz. It was news to Boozer. "I feel like I'm the starter," the two-time NBA All-Star said Sunday, before the Jazz open their second day of two-a-days. "I think I've earned that. That's the only role I've been in my whole career." Boozer has started each game he's played in four of his five seasons with the Jazz, and started 129 of 156 in during his two years in Cleveland. "I think it's great to have competition," said Boozer, who during the offseason expressed eagerness to be traded to either ..."

Boozer begins process of pulling foot out of mouth

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September 26

Salt Lake Tribune

"While everybody was demanding answers from Carlos Boozer and coming away with varying degrees of satisfaction as the Jazz assembled for training camp Friday, teammate Kyle Korver was easily mollified. "I'm feeling really offended, Carlos, by comments that were made earlier this year," Korver said with mock earnestness, after breaking into the crowded circle of interviewers. Korver asked for a certain number of kick-out passes to the corner in every game. The rest of us wanted some sense of regret and repentance for Boozer's apparent ease in bonding with other teams and cities during interviews over the summer. Korver went home happy, having received greater promises than he asked for. ..."

Let's all call BS on Boozer

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September 26

Salt Lake Tribune

columnist Gordon Monson

"As the Jazz walked through their practice facility/circus tent on Friday to signal the start of a new season, they took a thousand steps backward in time. Back to the exact spot where they were when we saw them last, losing to the L.A. Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. That's a remarkable thing. They are the same -- when different was the needed order. After that Game 5 loss, Deron Williams spoke the truth when he said: "We've got to figure some things out." The Jazz didn't figure much of anything out, except for one significant thing: Carlos Boozer is a tough man to offload. They let Jarron Collins, Brevin Knight, and Morris Almond go. And they let Boozer stay. They tried ..."

No apologies

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September 26

Salt Lake Tribune

"Whatever issues remain to be resolved behind closed doors between Carlos Boozer, his teammates and the Jazz organization, Kyle Korver did his part Friday to put the best public face on Boozer's return to Utah. With Boozer facing reporters at media day, Korver waded into the fray to pronounce himself "really offended" by Boozer's summer comments, before declaring that he could make amends by promising him six kickouts for open three-pointers this season. For such an assist from Korver, Boozer went a step further, offering 10 kickouts, and Korver left laughing. It proved to be the afternoon's lone lighthearted moment as Boozer offered no apologies following his offseason trade campaign. ..."

Breaking up is hard to do for Jazz, Booz

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September 25

The Deseret News

columnist Brad Rock

"Youwouldn'tbelievewhatjusthappened. It's so random. They go through this totally messy breakup and, obviously, they never want to see one another again, 'kay? They, like, completely creep each other out. But what happens? They end up in the same class this semester. Omigosh! How, like, awkward. The Jazz open training camp with a media session today at Zions Bank Basketball Center, and guess who's back together. Carlos Boozer and the Jazz. Talk about an elephant in the room. Most people thought by now this relationship would be history. But they're committed, at least for now, and it's not going to be all that comfortable. How comfortable can it be when your are so ... over? Boozer is good ..."

All eyes are on the Jazz's lame duck

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September 25

Salt Lake Tribune

"With apologies to the Ringling Bros.' clowns, tigers and elephants at EnergySolutions Arena this weekend, Carlos Boozer will be the ringmaster of a circus all his own today when the Jazz open training camp. Against all odds, Boozer will return for a sixth season in Utah, after the former All-Star forward decided on June 30 against opting for free agency only to campaign weeks later for a trade. Instead of heading to training camp with Chicago, Miami or any of the other teams to which he was linked, Boozer finds himself back with the Jazz, returning to familiar if not necessarily friendly surroundings. Along with Boozer, the Jazz will bring back 11 players from last season's 48-34 team ..."

Boozer to report; Harpring to sit out

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September 24

Salt Lake Tribune

"While they announced Wednesday that Matt Harpring will miss all of training camp, the preseason and the start of the regular season due to ankle and knee injuries, the Jazz will have Carlos Boozer on hand when they report to camp. Despite a summer of tension with the organization, Boozer will report on time and be in attendance Friday when the Jazz host media day, The Tribune has learned. Boozer has not commented publicly on his situation in nearly two months. Boozer and the Jazz have been at odds ever since the All-Star forward decided June 30 to play the final year of his contract at $12.7 million rather than opting for free agency. Only weeks later, Boozer asserted in a series of ..."

Boozer rumors still flying

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September 17

The Deseret News

"Let the rumors continue. Or not. With Jazz fall camp just about a week away, an ESPN NBA writer continues to report that Carlos Boozer could end up in a New York Knicks uniform this season. In order for that to happen, the Knicks would have to work out a sign-and-trade deal with young power forward David Lee, who still has not signed a contract this offseason. Lee's agent didn't specify if Utah is involved, but he claims something could be in the works. "Nothing is done yet, but we're talking," Mark Bartelstein told NBA Fan House on Tuesday. "There are still some sign-and-trade scenarios that are being discussed or going back to the Knicks." That, however, is "not happening" with Boozer, ..."

D-Will expects Boozer to come back and play hard to help team win

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September 3

The Deseret News

"Things could change, of course, but it's sure sounding like the Utah Jazz and Carlos Boozer aren't about to part ways anytime soon. Sounds like key members of the Jazz are trying to put a positive spin on the sour situation as well. On Tuesday, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said he'll welcome the power forward back without holding a grudge for any offseason remarks regarding a desire to play elsewhere. The team's on-the-court leader echoed his coach's sentiments Wednesday afternoon to a national radio audience. Deron Williams admitted he's heard plenty of rumors about Boozer being traded around the NBA, but he is as unsure as everybody not in-the-know about what will happen before the 2009-10 ..."

Boozer not headed to Dallas or South Africa

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August 31

The Deseret News

"Add the Dallas Mavericks to the list of NBA teams that were — and perhaps still are — interested in acquiring trade-craving Carlos Boozer. While you're at it, scratch South Africa off of Boozer's more immediate travel itinerary. Though it's still unclear where exactly he'll end up this NBA season, Boozer won't be going to Johannesburg this week to participate in the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program Wednesday through Sunday as was announced earlier this summer. The Jazz power forward is a late scratch from the league's successful international outreach program, an NBA source involved with the camp said on Sunday."

Miami GM uncomfortable with Boozer sweet talk

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August 5

The Deseret News

"Upset Utah Jazz fans apparently aren't the only ones who felt uneasy with all the eye-batting and flirting that Carlos Boozer recently did in hopes of wooing Miami to trade for him. Heat general manager Pat Riley was also a bit turned off by the public display of affection for Miami that Boozer showed shortly after opting into the final year of his contract with the Jazz. "I wasn't really comfortable with it," Heat general manager told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Tuesday. Though he later claimed on Chicago radio to be misquoted and misunderstood, Boozer was quoted last month as saying that playing in Miami, his offseason home, would be his first choice for the upcoming year. He made ..."

Boozer deserves fallout from bad PR moves

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August 3

Charlotte Observer

columnist Steve Luhm

"This whole unhappy Carlos Boozer Saga started, it seems to me, last December. After the injury-battered Jazz scored what should have been an uplifting win at New Jersey, Boozer ruined the moment for everyone but his accountant by telling an ESPN reporter that he planned to opt out of his contract at the end of the season because, no matter what happened after that, he'd get a raise. Boozer gave the selfish-sounding interview in street clothes, after missing another game with a knee injury that kept him out two more months and, in reality, negatively impacted his entire season. Boozer's timing was so strange -- so anti-teammate -- that the Jazz's late owner, Larry Miller, called it the "one ..."

Boozer has earned everything he's getting from bad PR moves

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August 1

Salt Lake Tribune

"This whole unhappy Carlos Boozer Saga started, it seems to me, last December. After the injury-battered Jazz scored what should have been an uplifting win at New Jersey, Boozer ruined the moment for everyone but his accountant by telling an ESPN reporter that he planned to opt out of his contract at the end of the season because, no matter what happened after that, he'd get a raise. Boozer gave the selfish-sounding interview in street clothes, after missing another game with a knee injury that kept him out two more months and, in reality, negatively impacted his entire season. Boozer's timing was so strange -- so anti-teammate -- that the Jazz's late owner, Larry Miller, called it the ..."

Boozer keeps talking trade

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July 30

The Deseret News

"Another day, another Carlos Boozer interview in another of his preferred future playing destinations. And, no, it wasn't in Utah. On Tuesday, however, Boozer wasn't quite as revealing with a Chicago sports radio station as he was in Miami on Monday when he went on about, among other things, how much he loves the South Beach area, how he won't be playing again for the Utah Jazz, how tough the economy is, how well he personally did in this past spring's playoffs, how healthy his body is, and how anxious he is to find out what team he'll be traded to before next season. While talking to ESPN 1000 in Chicago, where he helped Corey Maggette run a basketball camp, Boozer even seemed to ..."

Utah Jazz: Boozer keeps talking trade

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July 29

The Deseret News

"Another day, another Carlos Boozer interview in another of his preferred future playing destinations. And, no, it wasn't in Utah. On Tuesday, however, Boozer wasn't quite as revealing with a Chicago sports radio station as he was in Miami on Monday when he went on about, among other things, how much he loves the South Beach area, how he won't be playing again for the Utah Jazz, how tough the economy is, how well he personally did in this past spring's playoffs, how healthy his body is, and how anxious he is to find out what team he'll be traded to before next season. While talking to ESPN 1000 in Chicago, where he helped Corey Maggette run a basketball camp, Boozer even seemed to ..."

Rumor: Boozer to Knicks for David Lee

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July 25

The Deseret News

"Could Carlos Boozer end up in a New York Knicks uniform? A scenario is reportedly being considered by the Knicks in which the team would sign restricted free-agent forward David Lee and then send him off to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Boozer, according to a story published by Newsday. Lee acknowledged feeling frustrated by the fact he remains unsigned by New York so deep into the free agency period. "With the four years of hard work I've put in, I'm just frustrated this thing hasn't gotten done yet with the Knicks," Lee told Newsday. "It's been frustrating enough that it has caused us now to kind of look at other options." The Knicks have not made offers to either Lee or their other ..."

Rockets deny interest in Boozer

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July 24

The Deseret News

"Despite their rumored involvement in a recent three-team deal that failed to materialize, the Houston Rockets apparently have no true interest in acquiring Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer. ESPN.com reported Thursday afternoon that unidentified sources within the Rockets' organization denied the team made any efforts to trade for Boozer. These same sources also denied interest in bringing Boozer to Houston. This comes on the heels of a trade rumor that arose earlier in the week, which had the Rockets participating in a three-team trade with the Jazz and the Chicago Bulls that would have sent Boozer to Chicago and Kyrylo Fesenko to Houston and brought Shane Battier and Carl Landry to Utah. ..."

Boozer to Heat just a rumor

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July 22

The Deseret News

"Although Carlos Boozer wants to be traded to the Heat, Miami has put the issue on hold, at least for now. "We listen to all inquiries, but there is nothing going on," Heat President Pat Riley said Tuesday about Boozer in his first public comment since June. Contrary to an Internet report, there was no discussion with Memphis about a deal that would send Udonis Haslem to Utah, Boozer to Miami and Dorell Wright to the Grizzlies. The Heat likes Boozer — his skill set and expiring contract are appealing — and might pursue a trade eventually, but the priority now is waiting on free agent Lamar Odom's decision."

Carlos Boozer's No. 1 choice is Miami Heat

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July 22

Miami Herald

"Carlos Boozer was born in Germany, raised in Alaska, spent his college years at Duke and played with the Utah Jazz for the past five seasons. But ask him what city he considers home and where he would like to be traded and, without hesitation, he replies: ``Miami.'' The two-time NBA All-Star said Monday that he and the Jazz have ``mutually agreed'' to a trade, and it would be ``a beautiful thing'' if he wound up reunited with Olympic teammate Dwyane Wade on the Heat. Boozer and his wife, CeCe, have spent every offseason since 2004 in Miami -- first in a Brickell Key condominium and then in a $7.3 million waterfront home in Coconut Grove with their three children -- 3-year-old son Carmani ..."

Utah Jazz listening to offers for Boozer

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July 18

The Deseret News

"On the same day they formally announced they will match the offer sheet restricted free agent Paul Millsap signed last week with Portland, the Jazz did not deny efforts to move fellow power forward Carlos Boozer are ongoing. The match is dependent on a physical exam taken Friday, and Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said he would not comment on the matter — beyond a short statement contained in a news release — until he knows for sure that Millsap had passed all medical tests. "It's a relief, in a sense," Ara Vartanian, one of Millsap's representatives, said of the decision. "We know Paul fits in well with the way coach (Jerry) Sloan coaches," Vartanian added, "so there's no mystery or ..."

Utah Jazz: Where, oh where could Carlos Boozer be headed?

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July 17

The Deseret News

"Though a deal with Chicago or Miami seems likeliest if one is to be made soon, all sorts of Carlos Boozer trade talk and rumors are circulating. Here's a roundup of some: From Yahoo.com: "Portland is still trying to pry Tayshaun Prince out of Detroit in a three-way deal with Utah, but Pistons president Joe Dumars hasn't shown an inclination to move Prince and extend Boozer's contract, league sources say. Several league executives are dubious of Boozer as a $14 million-a-year player, which his agent, Rob Pelinka, has told teams it will take to sign him to an extension. Miami could be the suitor willing to pay it." From the Chicago Sun-Times: "Should the Miami deal fail to land Boozer, the ..."

Boozer the chairman of Carlos Boozer Inc.

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July 16

Salt Lake Tribune

columnist Gordon Monson

"Five summers ago, when Carlos Boozer screwed over the Cavs by lying to a blind man, privately agreeing to re-sign with then-owner Gordon Gund's team if it agreed to let him out of his initial lower-paying deal and then double-crossing it for bigger money, fans here celebrated the Jazz's timely opportunism. They cheered Jazz management's taking advantage of Boozer's lack of integrity ... er, business savvy. Either way, it didn't matter. At last, a coveted free agent was coming the Jazz's way, albeit by dubious means. The thinking went: It's OK, because he's our guy now. Truth is, Boozer was not your guy. He was never your guy. He was his guy. He was Carlos Boozer Inc.'s guy. The real ..."

Heat targeting both Boozer and Odom

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July 16

Yahoo! Sports

"Pat Riley has listened to Dwyane Wade(notes) express his unease with the Miami Heat sitting out the Eastern Conference's arms race this summer. As the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic elevated themselves as championship contenders, the Heat president sold his superstar on patience, promising a plan to surround him with talent for the long run. Now, the Heat are working furiously to deliver Lamar Odom(notes) and Carlos Boozer(notes) to the shores of Biscayne Bay. The Heat are trying to sell Odom on a five-year, $34 million contract at the mid-level exception, and a league executive with knowledge of the talks says Miami has also hatched a three-way proposal with the ..."

Carlos Boozer-to-Bulls deal still possible

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July 16

Chicago Sun-Times

"With the exception of deciding what to do with restricted free agent Aaron Gray, the Bulls' roster-shuffling this summer might be finished after wrapping up a few loose ends this week by officially signing free agent Jannero Pargo, re-signing Lindsey Hunter and reaching a contract settlement with (and waiving) Tim Thomas. But if the Bulls are interested in dealing for Carlos Boozer, there remains a strong chance they could work out a deal with the Utah Jazz for the power forward. Even though the three-team deal reported last week by ESPN.com is essentially dead, that doesn't necessarily mean Boozer won't end up in Chicago. During an appearance Tuesday on the ''Waddle & Silvy'' show on ..."

Utah Jazz shop Boozer, still want Millsap

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July 15

The Deseret News

"They're trying to trade Carlos Boozer, and they evidently intend to match Portland's offer for Paul Millsap. But the Jazz suggest the two are independent matters, and that even if they can't trade starting power forward Boozer this week, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll shy away from matching the four-year, $32 million offer sheet backup power forward and restricted free agent Millsap signed last Friday with the Trail Blazers. Moreover, the Jazz have indicated they won't succumb to low-ball offers for Boozer from teams that feel Utah is anxious — perhaps even desperate — to deal him now. They even claim to be open to perhaps starting the season with both Boozer and Millsap on their ..."

Round and round Boozer goes, where he ends up nobody knows

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July 15

The Deseret News

"Trade rumors regarding Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer were aplenty late Monday and Tuesday: From Bulls.com blogger and longtime NBA writer Sam Smith, reporting from the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas: "The (Detroit) Pistons have been one of the teams mentioned ... though some speculation here was Boozer may end up in Miami in a deal involving Udonis Haslem." From South Florida Sun-Sentinel blogger Ira Winderman: "As for Boozer, there is both smoke and fire. He wants to be in South Florida. (Miami star Dwyane) Wade would like him as a running partner (although saying he is pushing for such a trade might be overstatement). And while it initially appeared that the Heat did not have anything ..."

Boozer: Jazz and I agreed on a trade

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July 14

Salt Lake Tribune

"Jazz forward Carlos Boozer broke his public silence Tuesday, saying in an interview with the Chicago Bulls' radio flagship station that he expected to be traded from Utah. "Yeah, I do," Boozer said. "I had a talk with the Jazz. The Jazz told me they want to go in a different direction and I respect their decision. 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 going to be traded relatively soon or in good time." Boozer made his comments to the morning show on WMVP 1000 in Chicago. Amid speculation that he will be traded for Kirk Hinrich, Boozer said, "I'd love to be a part of the Bulls." Boozer had not ..."

Boozer tells Chicago radio he expects a trade

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July 14

The Deseret News

"Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer told a Chicago radio station today that he expects to soon be traded, and that he'll be happy if he is. According to a transcript from WMVP 1000-AM, the ESPN affiliate in Chicago, Boozer — who has not spoken to Utah media since the Jazz's season ended in late April — said this when asked if he thought he'd be dealt: "Yeah, I do. I had a talk with the Jazz. The Jazz told me they want to go in a different direction and I respect their decision. 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." Rumors circulating today have ..."

Boozer to Miami trade talk is warming up

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July 13

The Deseret News

"He's been linked to Miami for quite some time, partly because he has an offseason home there, partly because of his relationship with Heat star Dwyane Wade and partly because of his friendship with Heat owner Micky Arrison. But Miami has no team payroll salary cap space this summer, so for a while talk of Carlos Boozer-to-the-Heat as a free agent cooled. And now it's warming back up. Heat star Dwyane Wade — who has been bickering with the franchise lately regarding a contract extension and the team's need to improve its roster — is lobbying, to a degree, for Miami to go after the Jazz's on-the-trade-block power forward. The two are good friends and were gold medal-winning USA Basketball ..."

Boozer skips charity game in Miami

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July 13

Salt Lake Tribune

"Although Carlos Boozer did not play in Alonzo Mourning 's and Dwyane Wade 's annual Summer Groove charity game Sunday in Miami as expected, the Jazz forward's name was everywhere in the NBA rumor mill. Boozer has yet to comment publicly since his June 30 decision to play the final year of his contract at $12.7 million rather than opting for free agency. The Jazz have since pushed to trade the two-time All-Star forward. In addition to reports linking Boozer to Detroit and Miami, speculation had Boozer eventually being traded to Chicago for Kirk Hinrich in a version of the three-team trade reported last week. With Wade eligible to sign a contract extension, the Heat could make a play for ..."

Sources: Jazz shopping Boozer

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July 11

ESPN.com

"The Portland Trail Blazers elected Friday not to wait on trade possibilities, deciding instead to offer Utah Jazz restricted free agent Paul Millsap a four-year contract worth $32 million, according to sources with knowledge of the Blazers' plans. The Jazz, meanwhile, are expected to continue their push to trade Carlos Boozer in response, with the intent of creating sufficient distance from the luxury-tax line to enable Utah to match the Millsap offer. The Blazers front-loaded the contract to make it difficult for Utah to match their offer. They gave Millsap at $5.6 million signing bonus and agreed to pay him $4.7 million of his first-year, $6.3 million salary the day the contract becomes ..."

Boozer's name bounced around

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July 10

Salt Lake Tribune

"As they awaited word Thursday of a contract offer - toxic or otherwise - by Portland to restricted free agent forward Paul Millsap, the Jazz also were hit by the first wave in what could prove a sea of Carlos Boozer trade rumors. According to an ESPN.com report, the Jazz have discussed a three-team deal with Portland and Chicago that would deliver Boozer to the Bulls, Kirk Hinrich to the Trail Blazers and Tyrus Thomas to the Jazz. Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor, who spent Thursday traveling back from the Orlando summer league, declined to comment about the report. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said he had not been briefed on any possible trades. Thomas, the former No. 4 overall pick in ..."

Bulls have chance to land Jazz F Carlos Boozer

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July 10

Chicago Sun-Times

"Through a series of roster moves and monetary decisions, the Bulls have put themselves in sound financial shape moving forward — despite the economic downturn and the prospect that revenues for all NBA teams are likely to fall in the near future. The Bulls could clear roughly $20 million of salary-cap space next summer to spend on what is projected to be the best crop of free agents in league history, or they could use some of their assets — including those coveted expiring contracts — to trade for an All-Star-caliber player this summer. If an ESPN.com report is accurate, the Bulls might have to decide soon which direction to go. According to the report, the Bulls have been involved with ..."

Sources: Boozer could go to Chicago

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July 9

ESPN.com

"Another major multiteam trade might be looming in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls having discussed a deal that would be headlined by Carlos Boozer and Kirk Hinrich, according to NBA front-office sources. Sources stressed to ESPN.com that no deal was imminent Thursday and that both Portland and Utah are still evaluating multiple trade scenarios. But two sources with knowledge of the three-team proposal confirmed that there have been substantive talks regarding a trade that would land Boozer in Chicago, Hinrich in Portland and Tyrus Thomas in Utah. A deal featuring those main components would deliver the elite low-post scorer that the Bulls have been ..."

Many possibilities for potential Boozer trade

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July 4

Salt Lake Tribune

"Should they explore a Carlos Boozer trade in the wake of the two-time All-Star forward's decision Tuesday to opt against free agency in favor of playing out the final year of his contract, the Jazz can expect to have several options. A Boozer trade is expected in some circles if the Jazz re-sign restricted free agent Paul Millsap, to avoid a lame-duck season in which Boozer would be expected to leave afterward while Millsap possibly would have to continue to come off the bench. To make it happen, though, the Jazz would have to find a team interested in adding a power forward in Boozer or a team trying to save on a long-term salary commitment and/or clear salary-cap space for the ..."

Sure, Paul Millsap has admirable qualities, but he's no Carlos Boozer

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July 2

Salt Lake Tribune

columnist Kurt Kragthorpe

"Drafted in the second round after leaving college early, he steadily developed into an NBA star who's now about to make more money than ever. And everybody's unhappy that Carlos Boozer is staying here? While fellow forward Paul Millsap is being celebrated as an overachiever, deserving of a huge raise after originally landing in the league at roughly the same point in the draft, Boozer is vilified for not living up to expectations with the Jazz after jumping from Cleveland as a free agent. Speaking as the last remaining Boozer advocate in this town, I don't get it. Actually, I do understand the reasons his image is damaged, and acknowledge the Jazz's payroll complications that accompany ..."

Korver opts in, Boozer to follow?

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June 30

Salt Lake Tribune

"As Kyle Korver opted against free agency Monday in favor of a return to the Jazz, speculation increased that Carlos Boozer might do the same, despite his declaration to the contrary in December. Marc Fleisher, the agent for Mehmet Okur, said "as of last time I checked" nothing had changed in regard to Okur's intent to opt out. An ESPN.com report, meanwhile, suggested there was a "significant chance" Boozer would not opt out. Boozer is due to make $12.7 million this season, with an already shallow pool of available free-agent money appearing to be shrinking. Boozer and Okur must make their decisions by today, with the free-agent negotiating period set to open at 10 p.m. tonight. Only ..."

Carlos Boozer going to either Pistons or Nets

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June 1

Detroit Free Press

"New York Post columnist Peter Vescey reports that Jazz forward Carlos Boozer is telling people he has his free-agent destination narrowed down to two teams. "Apparently, rising free agent-of-choice Carlos Boozer is telling confidants he's either going to Detroit or New Jersey -- only way the capsized Nets pull that off is by doing a sign-and-trade," Vescey wrote in today's Post. Boozer could opt out of this deal with the Jazz, due to pay him more than $12 million next season. This past season, Boozer averaged 16.2 points and 10.4 rebounds in only 37 games because of a left knee injury."

Carlos Boozer is expected to opt out of Utah Jazz contract

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May 21

Salt Lake Tribune

"The Jazz's season might have come to an end in the first round of the playoffs against Kobe Bryant and Co., but Carlos Boozer was back at Staples Center on Sunday to watch Game 7 of the Lakers-Rockets series alongside agent Rob Pelinka. No decisions have been made, but all indications are that Boozer will opt out of the final year of his contract with the Jazz and become a free agent, with Boozer and Pelinka possibly waiting until the June 30 deadline to officially do so. Boozer would be opting out of $12.7 million he is set to make in 2009-10, but is said to want the security of a long-term deal. He also is believed to have received assurances from Jazz CEO Greg Miller that the team ..."

Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur free-agent possibilities for Pistons

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May 20

Detroit Free Press

"The Pistons will monitor the situation in Utah closely this off-season. The Utah Jazz roster is in a state of flux, with free agency possible for forward Carlos Boozer, center Mehmet Okur and shooting guard Kyle Korver, and the restricted free-agent status of power forward Paul Millsap. The thinking is the Pistons might be able to acquire a player from the Jazz if it is dead-set against paying the NBA's luxury tax. Greg Miller, who heads the family that owns the Jazz, was emphatic to KSL-TV in Salt Lake City last weekend that the team will pay the tax if it means keeping Millsap. There's still uncertainty about whether Boozer, Okur and Korver will return or opt out of their deals and ..."

Kyle Korver Is Ready To Opt Out And Leave The Jazz

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May 18

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"Recession? What recession? While the rest of the nation hopes to hold onto a job, any job and while the rest of the country hopes to lose only 50% of their 401k, Jazz players are planning on winning the lottery. Sure the luxury tax is probably dropping from $71 million to $68 million and sure NBA owners, like everyone else, have taken some major financial hits. Did players and agents not notice David Stern setting up eight figure credit lines for owners to tap into? First Mehmet Okur announced he was looking to be paid like a Top 10 center instead of a Top 20 center, so opting out sounds like a foregone conclusion. Now Kyle Korver is apparently opting out. In an interview with KXNO in ..."

'Boozer's here to stay,' and other jokes

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May 3

Salt Lake Tribune

Kurt Kragthorpe

"In the tradition of Yogi Berra, who tried to dismiss the quotes attributed to him by saying, "I never said most of the things I said," I would like to revisit some of my declarations about the Jazz in recent years as they relate to the current state of the team. In a few cases, there could be only one response: Did I really say that? Yet other observations make sense now. So here we go: » "The rehabilitation of Carlos Boozer's image was completed forever" (May 2007). Oh, boy. It sounded reasonable then, after Boozer's 35-point, 14-rebound performance in a Game 7 victory at Houston followed a regular season when he played 81 games and seemingly answered all the questions about his ..."