Rumor Press: Boozer Could Be Traded To the Bulls

July 6th, 2009 by Andrew Wamboldt

According to Tech N9ne of Rumorpress.net, the Bulls may trade for Carlos Boozer.

Look for the Chicago Bulls to make a strong push for Carlos Boozer. Reports have indicated the Bulls are interested in trading for the Utah Jazz power forward and there is a lot of truth to it. General Manager Gar Forman has already had discussions with the Jazz about sending Boozer to Chicago and talks could heat up even more in the coming weeks. The Bulls are looking to send Tyrus Thomas and most likely Jerome James to the Jazz for Boozer, the problem is the Jazz are talking to several other teams and may wait to find a better deal. Either way, the Bulls will at least make a strong effort at trying to get Boozer in Chicago.

I think there is truth to these rumors. This would be a pretty good trade for the Bulls. They would finally get the lowpost scorer that they’ve been lacking since Eddy Curry left in 2005. Tyrus Thomas probably isn’t in the Bulls future plans, as he would have to be renounced if the Bulls decide to pursue a max free agent in 2010.

If Carlos Boozer does perform well, he will demand a large contract next season, which will essentially wash out the Bulls cap space. The Bulls remaining cap space after re-signing Boozer would be around the MLE, a little less.

If this trade goes through, and Boozer pans out, at least those in the Bulls front office concerned primarily with the basketball product, will be kicking themselves for letting Gordon go. They could have kept Ben Gordon, had Carlos Boozer, and sign an MLE free agent in 2010. That’s much more in assets than just Carlos Boozer, and a likely less than MLE free agent. The only difference is the former costs much more than the latter, and the Bulls don’t seem too serious about paying for a winner.

I think the Bulls will be very aggressive in trading for Boozer. They need to save face from letting Ben Gordon go to the Pistons. The fan backlash was much worse than they probably expected.

There is no guarantee that the Bulls can land Boozer. The Pistons are rumored to be in talks that involve Richard Hamilton going to the Jazz in exchange for Boozer. The Jazz should be able to get good value for Boozer, as he is an allstar level talent at the power forward spot, who is also an expiring contract.

If the Bulls can land Carlos Boozer for Tyrus Thomas and Jerome James, they should do it.