By Clint
Lowry
May 15, 2009
Despite the fact that most of us are down on
Boozer, he is a proven 20/10 guy when
healthy, and there just aren’t many of those
in the league. For that reason, I believe a
number of teams would be highly interested
in acquiring him, and possibly willing to
give up good players to make it happen. The
most logical destination for Booz is a team
with a strong defensive front-court presence
that needs more scoring and rebounding.
I’ve gone through all 29 teams and grouped
them into 3 categories with respect to their
potential interest level in Boozer:
LITTLE TO NONE
Boston – They have KG
Dallas – They have Dirk.
LA Clippers – Boozer is too similar
to Randolph.
LA Lakers – They need a PG, not a PF.
Minnesota – They have Al Jefferson
New Orleans – They have David West.
OKC – They have Jeff Green.
Orlando – They have Rashard Lewis.
Philly – They have Brand.
Phoenix – They have Amare.
Portland – They have Aldridge.
MODERATE
Cleveland – They are dominating right
now. Why mess that up? And would they want
Booz after he screwed them?
Denver – Moot point, as the Jazz
would never trade Boozer within the
division.
Houston – The Rockets wouldn’t want a
third injury-prone all-star.
Indiana – Murphy had a nice year for
them and is cheaper.
Miami – Rumored to be interested, but
the Jermaine O’Neil trade pretty much killed
that prospect.
New York – Might want Booz if they
don’t keep David Lee, but they have no shot
blockers.
San Antonio – Booz would actually be
great next to Duncan, but the Spurs would
have to give up Parker or Ginobli to make it
work. Not gonna happen.
Toronto – Only makes sense if they
think Bosh will bolt.
That leaves us with 10 teams who could/have
legitimate interest in acquiring Boozer:
HIGH
Atlanta – They have Horford, Pachulia,
and Josh Smith – all decent defenders, but
none of them are prolific scorers. Booz
could be a missing piece for this mid-tier
playoff team.
Charlotte – They don’t have a true PF
and could really use one. Okafor is a good
defender and shot blocker to compensate for
Boozer’s weakness. This one makes a lot of
sense.
Chicago – They have Noah, Brad
Miller, and Tyrus Thomas. All can defend,
but none can score or rebound like Boozer.
He could take a lot of pressure off their
backcourt.
Detroit – They are in rebuilding mode
and apparently have interest in Boozer. They
could sign him outright but might consider a
sign-and-trade to save cap space.
Golden State – Most of their points
come from the perimeter. They could
definitely use the post scoring and
rebounding Boozer would bring.
Memphis – They have good prospects at
most every position, except PF. They also
have the cap space to sign Boozer outright.
Milwaukee – Boozer would be a big
upgrade over Villanueva at PF, and a nice
complement to Bogut.
New Jersey – Their backcourt is
strong, but the frontcourt lacks scoring
punch. They do have a number of young shot
blockers that Booz could play beside.
Sacramento – They need everything
except a shooting guard (KMart). Their
frontcourt is young and could use a veteran
scorer and rebounder.
Washington – They have shot-blocking
centers and good wings, but no real low post
threat (Jamison is more a perimeter
forward). Plus they are awful and need to
make changes.
Next, the challenge becomes identifying
realistic sign-and-trade possibilities for
each of these teams that both sides would be
happy with. Here’s my best shot:
Atlanta – Boozer for Josh Smith + filler
Jazz could certainly use his athleticism and
shot blocking. I would actually prefer Joe
Johnson, but I doubt Atlanta would part with
him unless they don’t expect him to re-sign.
Al Horford and Marvin Williams could also
work.
Charlotte – Boozer and Brewer for Gerald
Wallace and Raja Bell
This deal would greatly improve Utah’s
defense and wing scoring. Okafor is another
possibility but would be risky with his big
contract (2014) and injury history.
Chicago – Boozer for Kirk Hinrich and
Tyrus Thomas
Hinrich would be an ideal combo guard for
the Jazz, and Thomas is an athletic shot
blocker. There are actually a number of
potential trades that could work with the
Bulls that include a combination of Hinrich,
Thomas, Gordon, Salmons, Noah, etc. The
perfect deal for the Jazz would be Booz and
CJ for Hinrich, Salmons, and Noah or Thomas,
but I doubt the Bulls would do it. If they
would, I couldn't sign that contract fast
enough.
Detroit – Boozer for Rip Hamilton
I would also love Tayshaun Prince, but that
doesn’t make as much sense unless the Jazz
move AK. Rip would bring shooting and
defense, two things the Jazz could sure use.
Golden State – Boozer and CJ for Jamal
Crawford, Rony Turiaf, Kalenna Azubuike, and
a 1st round pick
This would net the Jazz an explosive combo
guard, a 3-point threat, and a great shot
blocker. As with the Bulls, there are a
number of potential trades that could work
involving a combination of Crawford, Turiaf,
Maggette, Biedrins, Wright, etc. That said,
I would prefer to include AK in a deal with
GS since they are a team that might want
him.
Memphis – No deal
They probably wouldn’t give up Gay, Mayo, or
Gasol considering they don’t need a
sign-and-trade to get Boozer. Darrell Arthur
is likely the best the Jazz could do.
Milwaukee – Boozer for Richard Jefferson
I’d like to see the Jazz to get Bogut, but
the more I think about it, the Bucks would
have an incredibly small frontcourt without
him. I doubt they let him go. Jefferson
would provide a nice scoring upgrade at the
wing, but he’s expensive.
New Jersey – Boozer for Brook Lopez and
Bobby Simmons (filler + expiring contract)
Jersey only does this if they are trying to
win now (i.e. while Vince Carter is still
playing at a high level). Otherwise, there’s
no way they let go of Lopez after his
impressive rookie campaign.
Sacramento - Boozer and CJ for Francisco
Garcia, Jason Thompson, and Kenny Thomas
(filler + expiring contract)
Since Boozer can’t be traded until the
free-agent signing period begins, lottery
and draft results could impact the Kings’
interest. If they get Griffin, they won’t
want Boozer. Cisco would be a big upgrade
over CJ, and Thompson showed nice potential
in his rookie season.
Washington – Boozer and CJ for Caron
Butler and Brendan Haywood
This deal makes the Jazz bigger and tougher.
Butler brings a true scoring threat and
tough defense from the wing. Haywood is a
big shot blocker. As with Sacramento, draft
results will likely impact Washington’s
interest.
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