It's time for an update on Carlos Boozer. Certainly for Utah fans, but perhaps for other basketball followers as well, this story is developing into one of the bigger ones of the summer. First there was speculation that there would be some sort of blockbuster trade with Chicago, Utah, and Portland. Then, there was the idea that the Jazz would frantically trade Boozer to Miami for nothing more that Udonis Haslem (!) and a maybe one or two more mediocre players. David Aldridge quickly squashed these ideas, and simultaneously made me realize that he is incredibly well connected in the N.B.A. so that when he talks, it is generally wise to listen.
After trade rumor after trade rumor died and others rose from obscurity to replace the older ones, I am left wondering what will happen with Boozer. At first, I was eager to see him go. The more I have followed the situation, though, I realize that he is probably a top five power forward in the league, and thus worth something. He will never take Utah to a finals appearance, and maybe this is why fans are so upset. He will consistently take them to playoff appearances, however, and perhaps he will do it better than anyone that they can get. So the Jazz are essentially stuck it the mud , damned if they do, damned if they do not. They will constantly be close enough to smell true greatness (all puns intended), but never quite taste it. This will be the case at least until the Boozer era comes to a close.
My favorite option is a trade for Michael Beasley. As Shoals points out, this is truly investing in the future. The Jazz also have that juicy first round pick from New York for next year, meaning they can do some serious rebuilding. Sloan has yet to fail me when coaching a player, so even though Beasley seems lost now, he may find new life in Utah. But before (and if ever) this happens, we will be stuck with good offense, bad defense, and many nearly reached dreams of glory.
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People are underselling Beasley, he showed great improvement in the second half of his rookie campaign. No way Miami does that trade.
ReplyDeleteJazz are screwed in this one I think, nobody wants to give up value for a one-year rental of Boozer, they can't do a sign and trade because teams don't want to take on money and because Boozer will want a healthy year of play to boost his value before signing a new deal.
If Odom signs with the Lakers, I'd dump him for draft picks and a trade exception to anybody willing. If Odom leaves? Maybe you roll the dice and pray for health, you got close in '07 and haven't been able to build on it the last two years cuz of injuries. Still 96 mill is a TON of money to be paying right now.
With Boozer, the Jazz will be a solid 4-5 seed playoff team that will lose to the Lakers. Without him, probably worse for next season but probably better in the future. I agree that Beasley is underrated, but Miami is certainly desperately trying to keep D. Wade there. Think of the Heat with Boozer, Wade, and Odom: that is easily the second or third best team in the east instantly. The Heat are certainly looking for short term gratification to keep Wade, so my optimism remains unhindered, for now.
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