Carlos Boozer
RealGM has a staff report
Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer announced on Tuesday that he is exercising his player option for 2009-10.
Boozer will make $12.657 million this season and join the famed 2010 class a free agent next summer.
“We are excited that Carlos has decided to remain with the Jazz,” said Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor. “We are hopeful he can continue to play at an All-Star level and will have an injury-free season.”
Boozer had been widely expected to become a free agent, but the economic climate of the NBA made delaying his free agency by one season a prudent decision.
I think this is a good decision, a risky decision but a good one. If Boozer can prove his fitness next season he’ll have a much better chance at earning a max contract. He’ll also have far more suitors, and more choices as to where he lands instead of just Utah and Detroit.
Detroit Pistons
This is terrible news for the Pistons. Boozer was likely their top target or at least in the discussion for the free agent money. Losing him limits their options.
Their three top big man targets are now likely Paul Millsap, Memo Okur and/or David Lee. Lamar Odom may gate crash the party too, which is terrible news for the Lakers, because they do not want to get caught in a bidding war for Odom.
If the Pistons are unhappy with their big man options, this will make it far more likely that Joe Dumars is aggressive in the trade market and looks to package two or three of Stuckey/Rip/Prince for an elite big man. Then he’ll turn around and use his free agent money on some of the available perimeter talent – Ben Gordon and Hedo Turkoglu look the most likely.
Dino Gunner
June 30, 2009
Interestingly enough, I have read that Boozer has had some martial problems and that (apparently, i’m not sure if this is true), half of the current contract is going to his wife. If that is the case, it makes much more since, in the short term, to sign a contract this season because the new contract would not have to be split 50/50.
Dino Gunner
June 30, 2009
ESPN is reporting that Kobe is not going to exercise his ETO. Risky move in my opinion considering the over 36 rule.
Dave
June 30, 2009
I don’t really understand that over 36 rule. I’m going to have to try and read that again sometime. There’s a lot of information on deferred compensation, which went right over my head the first time I tried to understand the rule.