The possibilities of a Boozer trade
Having gone through the rosters and payrolls of every team in the league, I don't envy Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor should he try to trade Carlos Boozer and avoid a lame-duck season with the two-time All-Star forward.
Almost every scenario has a drawback, especially if the Jazz have to take back longer-term salary commitments than the $12.7 million Boozer has as an expiring contract.
With Andrei Kirilenko and Deron Williams set to make nearly $33 million for 2010-11, the Jazz run the risk of being luxury tax payers beyond this season if they are not careful with the contracts they take back in any deal.
The Jazz also would probably prefer to trade Boozer to an Eastern Conference team to avoid strenghtening any rival in the West and especially in the Northwest Division. Here's the overview:
Probably no interest: Atlanta (re-signed Josh Smith last summer), Boston (already has Kevin Garnett as Big Three cornerstone), Dallas (Dirk Nowitzki, will sign Marcin Gortat), Denver (not with Nene, Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen, plus division rival), Golden State (especially if Amare Stoudemire trade happens), Indiana (Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy are best salary matches), L.A. Clippers (just drafted Blake Griffin), L.A. Lakers (have Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and likely Lamar Odom), Memphis (just traded for Zach Randolph), Miami (unlikely to part with Michael Beasley as No. 2 overall pick), Minnesota (Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, plus division rival), New Orleans (Hornets will likely trade Tyson Chandler before David West), New York (why help the Knicks when due their 2010 first-round draft pick?), Oklahoma City (Thunder will likely sign a post player in free agency, plus division rival), Orlando (Vince Carter was Magic's big move this summer), Philadelphia (Elton Brand), Phoenix (too much uncertainty right now with potential Stoudemire trade), Portland (LaMarcus Aldridge, plus potential free-agent signing, plus division rival), San Antonio (no obvious trade match after Richard Jefferson deal) and Toronto (Hedo Turkoglu signing signals making push in what could be Chris Bosh's final season).
That's 20 teams right there. The most logical trade partners would appear to be:
Detroit, although Richard Hamilton has four years left on his contract (making $12.5 million in those last three years) and will turn 32 in February. Hamilton appears to be the best fit for the Jazz as he would bring them a shooter and a veteran with playoff experience. What his addition would mean for Ronnie Brewer and Andrei Kirilenko is an open question?
Chicago, which needs a low-post player given that the Bulls are relying on Brad Miller, Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah and Aaron Gray right now. The Jazz might be willing to take back Luol Deng - - they had interest in him last summer as a restricted free agent - - but Deng signed a six-year, $71 million extension. That's a huge commitment. Beyond that, the Bulls could offer Thomas or Kirk Hinrich in a package.
Cleveland, though I don't see how the Cavaliers could take back Boozer after everything that happened in 2004. The Cavs are loading up to make a championship push for LeBron James and could offer the Jazz either Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the final year of his contract or Anderson Varejao in a sign-and-trade.
Charlotte, where Kevin O'Connor and Larry Brown go way back. If the Bobcats are really desperate to save money, they could unload Emeka Okafor, though he just signed a six-year, $72 million extension. Beyond that, the Bobcats have long-term commitments to many of their most attractive players, including Gerald Wallace and Boris Diaw.
Houston, where it remains to be seen what the Rockets will do in the wake of Yao Ming's injury. They already have a host of power forwards in Luis Scola, Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes. Tracy McGrady's $23 million contract is attractive, since it will be primarily covered by insurance while McGrady recovers from microfracture knee surgery. Why would the Jazz help the Rockets and vice versa?
Milwaukee, which could use a power forward to play alongside Andrew Bogut, especially after losing Charlie Villanueva to Detroit. The Bucks also have a glut of point guards in Luke Ridnour, Ramon Sessions (assuming he is re-signed) and the recently drafted Brandon Jennings. Michael Redd is an intriguing option in a potential trade, though he is owed even more than Boozer at $18 million next season.
New Jersey, which has a hole at power forward alongside Brook Lopez. The Nets always could wait and sign Boozer as a free agent next summer. It's unclear that they have much to offer in a trade beyond a package of players with expiring contracts.
Sacramento, as possibly the best option for a trade within the Western Conference. The Kings could offer a variety of directions to go in a trade, from Kenny Thomas' expiring contract to Andres Nocioni to possibly even one of their young big men in Spencer Hawes or Jason Thompson.
Washington, whose payroll is at $75 million after last month's trade for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. Caron Butler would be a gem of an acquisition for the Jazz, but it's hard to see the Wizards letting go of Butler this season when they could make a huge turnaround behind a healthy Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison.
--Ross Siler
Almost every scenario has a drawback, especially if the Jazz have to take back longer-term salary commitments than the $12.7 million Boozer has as an expiring contract.
With Andrei Kirilenko and Deron Williams set to make nearly $33 million for 2010-11, the Jazz run the risk of being luxury tax payers beyond this season if they are not careful with the contracts they take back in any deal.
The Jazz also would probably prefer to trade Boozer to an Eastern Conference team to avoid strenghtening any rival in the West and especially in the Northwest Division. Here's the overview:
Probably no interest: Atlanta (re-signed Josh Smith last summer), Boston (already has Kevin Garnett as Big Three cornerstone), Dallas (Dirk Nowitzki, will sign Marcin Gortat), Denver (not with Nene, Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen, plus division rival), Golden State (especially if Amare Stoudemire trade happens), Indiana (Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy are best salary matches), L.A. Clippers (just drafted Blake Griffin), L.A. Lakers (have Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and likely Lamar Odom), Memphis (just traded for Zach Randolph), Miami (unlikely to part with Michael Beasley as No. 2 overall pick), Minnesota (Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, plus division rival), New Orleans (Hornets will likely trade Tyson Chandler before David West), New York (why help the Knicks when due their 2010 first-round draft pick?), Oklahoma City (Thunder will likely sign a post player in free agency, plus division rival), Orlando (Vince Carter was Magic's big move this summer), Philadelphia (Elton Brand), Phoenix (too much uncertainty right now with potential Stoudemire trade), Portland (LaMarcus Aldridge, plus potential free-agent signing, plus division rival), San Antonio (no obvious trade match after Richard Jefferson deal) and Toronto (Hedo Turkoglu signing signals making push in what could be Chris Bosh's final season).
That's 20 teams right there. The most logical trade partners would appear to be:
Detroit, although Richard Hamilton has four years left on his contract (making $12.5 million in those last three years) and will turn 32 in February. Hamilton appears to be the best fit for the Jazz as he would bring them a shooter and a veteran with playoff experience. What his addition would mean for Ronnie Brewer and Andrei Kirilenko is an open question?
Chicago, which needs a low-post player given that the Bulls are relying on Brad Miller, Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah and Aaron Gray right now. The Jazz might be willing to take back Luol Deng - - they had interest in him last summer as a restricted free agent - - but Deng signed a six-year, $71 million extension. That's a huge commitment. Beyond that, the Bulls could offer Thomas or Kirk Hinrich in a package.
Cleveland, though I don't see how the Cavaliers could take back Boozer after everything that happened in 2004. The Cavs are loading up to make a championship push for LeBron James and could offer the Jazz either Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the final year of his contract or Anderson Varejao in a sign-and-trade.
Charlotte, where Kevin O'Connor and Larry Brown go way back. If the Bobcats are really desperate to save money, they could unload Emeka Okafor, though he just signed a six-year, $72 million extension. Beyond that, the Bobcats have long-term commitments to many of their most attractive players, including Gerald Wallace and Boris Diaw.
Houston, where it remains to be seen what the Rockets will do in the wake of Yao Ming's injury. They already have a host of power forwards in Luis Scola, Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes. Tracy McGrady's $23 million contract is attractive, since it will be primarily covered by insurance while McGrady recovers from microfracture knee surgery. Why would the Jazz help the Rockets and vice versa?
Milwaukee, which could use a power forward to play alongside Andrew Bogut, especially after losing Charlie Villanueva to Detroit. The Bucks also have a glut of point guards in Luke Ridnour, Ramon Sessions (assuming he is re-signed) and the recently drafted Brandon Jennings. Michael Redd is an intriguing option in a potential trade, though he is owed even more than Boozer at $18 million next season.
New Jersey, which has a hole at power forward alongside Brook Lopez. The Nets always could wait and sign Boozer as a free agent next summer. It's unclear that they have much to offer in a trade beyond a package of players with expiring contracts.
Sacramento, as possibly the best option for a trade within the Western Conference. The Kings could offer a variety of directions to go in a trade, from Kenny Thomas' expiring contract to Andres Nocioni to possibly even one of their young big men in Spencer Hawes or Jason Thompson.
Washington, whose payroll is at $75 million after last month's trade for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. Caron Butler would be a gem of an acquisition for the Jazz, but it's hard to see the Wizards letting go of Butler this season when they could make a huge turnaround behind a healthy Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison.
--Ross Siler
1:45 PM
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5 Comments:
I wouldn't count out Atlanta. They resigned Josh Smith last year but have been rumored to want to trade him, and he hasn't been happy there. He would be an interesting addition to the Jazz lineup, as a stronger and more athletic version of AK-47. They're both versatile enough to play either forward spot and could play together. Smith's contract is long but reasonable and it would allow the Jazz to part ways with AK either by trade or a couple of years from now as a free agent. And Atlanta could use a post presence like Booze to play alongside Al Horford. I think it would be worth exploring for both teams. Start the rumor Siler!
That Atlanta deal wouldn't be a bad idea, if we could move AK's contract this season as well, for someone like McGrady. I like Josh Smith, but like AK he is really limited offensively.
But the team I would love to deal with is Golden State. The Amare deal isn't going to happen and the Jazz would be willing to ask for a lot less than Phoenix will. I think Boozer for Corey Maggette and Brandan Wright would be a good deal.
Yes, Josh Smith would be a very nice addition to the line-up, but reportedly Atlanta is only willing to move him because he has attitude problems and has clashed with his coach, Mike Woodson. Can you imagine him playing under the supervision of Coach Sloan? Me neither.
The possiblitiy of Detroit as a Boozer trade partner intrigues me. Would not the Jazz, however, be more interested in Tayshaun Prince than Rip Hamilton? From things I have read it seems the Pistons will likely go with a late-game, high scoring backcourt lineup of Rodney Stucky, new aquisition Ben Gordon (who has said that he doesn't care about starting as long as he plays late), and Hamilton. That leaves Prince as the odd man out. Furthermore, he brings much to the table that the Jazz have needed, not the least of which is veteran saavy and leadership. And to boot, the salaries are such that a swap straight accross would work.
Of course, Detroit would be trading away thier defensive ace for a player who is nothing if not notorious for his "ole" defense. Of course it could just be a one year experiment, offering the option of more cap flexibilility if it fails. Detroit of course demonstrated thier willingness to employ this philosophy trading for Allen Iverson last year.
I'd do Boozer + CJ Miles to Chicago for Kirk Hinrich + Tyrus Thomas. Hinrich is a smart player, an above average perimeter defender, a decent shooter and he can play back-up point guard if necessary - alleviating the need to sign a third PG. Thomas is long and uber-athletic, just uber-inconsistent. His offense needs more discipline, but he rebounds pretty well, and, man, can he block shots. I think we also shave about a million and a half off our salaries with this trade (which would save us about 3 million overall when you add in the luxury tax).
You're NUTS if you think the Kings, a REBUILDING TEAM, would offer up either one of their lotto selected BIGS who've shown flashes of brilliance in their short careers. I mean that's borderline committed talk on your part.
However, I do think the Kings make a LOT of sense for Utah as a Boozer destination. It's not sexy for the Jazz, but it gets them below the lux tax, in K9's expiring deal. The Jazz could save 4-8 million dollars depending on the other pieces involved.
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