All the Jazz about Boozer and the Cavs (dig it!)

[djlofi]

Amar drops some knowledge on Cavalier Attitude about Carlos Boozer's recent declaration to opt out of his contract after this season. Amar of course gives us some background on Boozer's journey to Utah (taking advantage of a blind man! ). But he also lays out the current situation facing Utah. Namely, they will have to resign Boozer AND Paul Millsap (he's been beastin for my fantasy team!), as well as keep an eye on Korver and Okur.

From the article: (Link)

The situation for the Jazz, located in the league's smallest market of Salt Lake City, could be destructive and potentially volatile. Both Boozer and Mehmet Okur have opt-outs for next year. Millsap himself, the lowest-paid player on the Jazz roster, is a restricted free agent. Even if Boozer and Okur pick up their player options for 2009-10, Utah's payroll will be $71 million.

The problem there is that the league's luxury tax threshold for this season was $67.8 million. Jazz owner Larry Miller "has vowed publicly he will never exceed" the luxury tax, something that makes sense based on the fact that his Jazz are in the league's smallest market. But Deron Williams' max extension kicks in next season while Andrei Kirilenko is due close to $50 million through the 2010-11 season.

What does this mean for the Cavs?

A discussion about who would want Boozer back and who wouldn't would warrant its own article. But due to the Cavs' escalating payroll, they probably won't be able to be players in free agency this summer to make a play for Millsap (or Boozer, for that matter).

Utah probably isn't going to let either Boozer or Millsap walk for nothing. They'll either a) trade Boozer before the deadline, b) trade Millsap before the deadline, or c) trade somebody else - probably Kirilenko - to make room to re-sign one or both this summer.

That last part regarding Kirilenko might be where the Cavs can cash in. The Jazz may be getting even more desperate to slash payroll as they get closer to the trading deadline. Just pawning off a guy like AK-47 - who comes off the bench at an eight-figure salary - for nothing more than expiring contracts and spare parts would appear more and more likely.

I've been thinking and I think it makes the most sense for the Cavs to get involved with Utah to help them keep Boozer or help them move him. Possibly moving Boozer to Phoenix and AV to Utah may help facilitate the imaginary Amare to Cleveland trade (Heath :chuckles. If not, I'm all for upgrading Wally into Kirilenko. AK-47 is a jack of trades big man that spreads the floor and plays the defense Mike Brown expects. AK-47 is a walking quadruple-double. If his attitude is right (and he's healthy) a guy like that puts the Cavs more over the top than staying pat because he would mostly absorb Wally's minutes and not cut into AV and Wallace's minutes as much.

 

[ClevelandFanati]

I question whether Kirlenko has the testicular fortitude to excel in the playoffs.

I agree he'd be worth a look due to his defensive game alone... but there have been times where that guy just seems to want to crawl in a hole and hide. I'm not sure I want that kind of player on our team. Especially at $10+ million.

Millsap, on the other hand, I'd pounce on without hesitation if they were dumb enough to dangle him.

 

[Mdog1]

Amar drops some knowledge on Cavalier Attitude about Carlos Boozer's recent declaration to opt out of his contract after this season. Amar of course gives us some background on Boozer's journey to Utah (taking advantage of a blind man! ). But he also lays out the current situation facing Utah. Namely, they will have to resign Boozer AND Paul Millsap (he's been beastin for my fantasy team!), as well as keep an eye on Korver and Okur.

From the article: (Link)



I've been thinking and I think it makes the most sense for the Cavs to get involved with Utah to help them keep Boozer or help them move him. Possibly moving Boozer to Phoenix and AV to Utah may help facilitate the imaginary Amare to Cleveland trade (Heath :chuckles. If not, I'm all for upgrading Wally into Kirilenko. AK-47 is a jack of trades big man that spreads the floor and plays the defense Mike Brown expects. AK-47 is a walking quadruple-double. If his attitude is right (and he's healthy) a guy like that puts the Cavs more over the top than staying pat because he would mostly absorb Wally's minutes and not cut into AV and Wallace's minutes as much.

I agree. Maybe if Ferry is crafty we could jack a pick from them to. Maybe the Knicks 2010 pick? Just saying if their owner is going to be cheap then we should try and bank on that folks.

 

[Thunder]

Only if they give up Brewer with AK, and I think getting back Boozer/Millsap is worth it.

 

[djlofi]

I question whether Kirlenko has the testicular fortitude to excel in the playoffs.

I agree he'd be worth a look due to his defensive game alone... but there have been times where that guy just seems to want to crawl in a hole and hide. I'm not sure I want that kind of player on our team. Especially at $10+ million.

Millsap, on the other hand, I'd pounce on without hesitation if they were dumb enough to dangle him.

No doubt his attitude is a big question, but that had more to do with him playing out of position at the SF spot where he's more comfortable as an under-sized (?) 4. Now he's thriving in a 6th man role there, which is what we would expect from him in Cleveland in Wally's role, which he could slide right into. It seems like bringing him in would allow the Cavs to not skip a beat because we have a role that he could fill (under-sized, floor-spreading bigman)

 

[Hydroponic3385]

I think that Utah would be wise to trade Boozer.

1) I don't see the point in having both Boozer and Millsap. They're both starting PF's in this league, pick one.

2) Millsap is restricted and pretty much guaranteed to re-sign. Boozer obviously has a track record of leaving teams, and that combined with Utah not wanting to go over the luxury threshold pretty much screams, "Bye bye Boozer." Especially with teams like Miami and Detroit being all about Carlos.

3) They gotta make some kind of move, as it'd be dumb to just let Boozer walk after this season. I think they'd want some combination of draft picks, expirings, and a rotation player who goes beyond next year (but makes a lot less than Boozer, obviously).

I can see Utah trading AK47, but I think it's much more likely they trade Boozer. If things aren't going well further on this season, maybe they'd trade both. I dunno.

 

[CleveRocks]

I don't see a Wally for AK straight up. Utah is a potential trading partner, but they are somewhat dangerous to trade with. Who knows which Klinko will show up?

 

[MYoung23]

If it is really about the luxury tax in Utah then they could possibly just roll with what they have this year and try to win a championship and then let Boozer walk, cut Harpring and try to resign Okur and Milsap with what their room under the tax.

 

[Da_James_Gang]

There could be a few interesting possibilities with Utah. I don't see them trading Millsap though, the kid is a beast. Right now he is averaging 14.5ppg 9rpg 1spg 1bpg and shooting over 50% from the field. As a starter (13 games) he is averaging 18ppg 11rpg 1spg 1bpg and shooting over 50% from the field.

It would be better for them to just move Boozer whenever he stops faking this injury. Probably to a team in the east, Detroit seems like a likely destination. Something like Prince/Amir Johnson/1st for Boozer/CJ Miles.

But back to Millsap, if they thought about moving him. I think i would give up Andy or JJ in a trade to get him.

 

[-KingofKings23-]

I hate Boozer and I dont want him back. That loser already left us for more money and I dont want a guy on our team that only plays for the money. I dont care how good he is.

 

[Soda]

There could be a few interesting possibilities with Utah. I don't see them trading Millsap though, the kid is a beast. Right now he is averaging 14.5ppg 9rpg 1spg 1bpg and shooting over 50% from the field. As a starter (13 games) he is averaging 18ppg 11rpg 1spg 1bpg and shooting over 50% from the field.

It would be better for them to just move Boozer whenever he stops faking this injury. Probably to a team in the east, Detroit seems like a likely destination. Something like Prince/Amir Johnson/1st for Boozer/CJ Miles.

But back to Millsap, if they thought about moving him. I think i would give up Andy or JJ in a trade to get him.

I agree with your last part there. I would likely give up Hickson or Andy if it means getting Millsap. He can finish well and rebound well. He can also make it up the court rather well.

 

[sam_slam911]

AK47 could be a possibility. Ive heard Ferry and Brown like him. But course Im not sure I see Andy and AK gettin along well. Both whiny about minutes.

 

[Sir Charles Barkley]

AK47 could be a possibility. Ive heard Ferry and Brown like him. But course Im not sure I see Andy and AK gettin along well. Both whiny about minutes.

Ak would slide right into the role joe smith played last year. We just wouldn't play small as much with lebron/wally at the 4. Andy plays the 5 and AK at the 4. Not that difficult.

 

[Mdog1]

Ak would slide right into the role joe smith played last year. We just wouldn't play small as much with lebron/wally at the 4. Andy plays the 5 and AK at the 4. Not that difficult.

Exactly. AK would be good for our offense to. As he can hit the three if a team lets him. So that keeps the big Z effect still in the game if we did get him. Any way his contract is bad but it might be worth it to get a gold ring.

 

[ZackMc72]

Boozer Is a Loozer :gayfite::gayfite::wiggle: