The Carlos Boozer Chronicles: Four Years Later

Cavalier Attitude

December 18, 2008

The Carlos Boozer Chronicles: Four Years Later

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By Amar Panchmatia

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It's hard to believe that the entire crap involving the Cavaliers and Carlos Boozer was four and a half years ago.

It was supposed to set the Cavaliers back. The Jazz and GM Kevin O'Connor looked around shrugging their shoulders as if it was no fault of their own for the incompetence of Jim Paxson and (to a larger extent, unfortunately) Gordon Gund. Utah took a big step forward while Cleveland took a big step back.

With such mismanagement and ineptitude, LeBron James was as good as gone after his rookie contract. And for all we know, he might have been had Dan Gilbert not bought the team from Gund just six months later.

Earlier this week, nxnn wrote an article here at CA entitled "At The End of the Day, We Are Who We Are." Although that piece was about LeBron James, that saying fits nobody better than Carlos Boozer.

Because in light of Boozer's recent declarations, what he is is a selfish, self-centered, and apparently stupid sleazeball.

Here's a direct quote from Loozer through ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan:

"I'm opting out. No matter what, I'm going to get a raise regardless. I am going to opt out, I don't see why I wouldn't, I think it's a very good business decision for me and my family, but I'd also like to see what happens with the Jazz and stay here."

You probably knew the "selfish," "self-centered," and "sleazeball" part already. But stupid? Well, considering the fact that Boozer decides to announce his plans for the summer in December, that's a start. But how about announcing it in December in the middle of a stretch where he has missed 15 games and just learned about a setback in his rehab?

Not stupid enough? Well, how about the fact that Paul Millsap has been playing like a worldbeater by logging 13 straight double-doubles in Boozer's absence while averaging close to 18 points and 11 boards in CB's absence?

Good business decision? Me and my family? This must be a déjà vu moment, because I could swear we've heard those words before. And the option's for over $12 million, so I don't know whose family or third world country he's worried about and what makes him think it's imperative that he lets it be known right now.

Oh, he had to throw in that last part about liking to "see what happens with the Jazz" just to camouflage the sleazeball within, the sleazeball that everyone with a pulse has to know lies deep down inside Carlos Boozer.

Boozer was the only one who contradicted the story that had him promising Gund, the Cavs' blind ex-owner, that he will sign a long-term deal for the midlevel exception if Gund lets him out of his deal. More than one source verified that account. Gund had no reason to let Boozer out of a bargain deal that paid the former Duke Blue Devil $700,000 for the 2004-05 season. That's until Boozer made Gund an offer he couldn't refuse - then went back on his word as he laughed all the way to Utah, of all places, for a big payday.

If you're a Cavs fan, you know exactly how that story went down. Seeing Loozer's face on TV makes your skin crawl and your blood boil to this day. You think of what could have been with LeBron and Boozer, something that many of us envisioned for the next decade of Cleveland basketball back in '03-04.

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.

AK-47 is a younger Shawn Marion, whose acquisition doesn't make sense for the Cavs. But if the Cavaliers can get Kirilenko while keeping all of their current bigs - especially Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas - then it could be a potential homerun for the Cavaliers.

Wally Szczerbiak alone would give the Jazz $13 million in cap relief for this summer, throwing Kirilenko's deal off the books and immediately trimming the payroll down to around $34 million assuming Boozer and Okur opt out. That would give Miller and O'Connor roughly a little over $30 million to play with to work in new deals for Boozer, Okur, and Millsap.

That alone is why Szczerbiak's deal looks more and more like gold the closer we get to February.

It's something to keep an eye on if you're a Cavs fan. Considering that the Cavaliers have been to an NBA Finals without Boozer while the Jazz haven't been there with him, don't concern yourself with whether or not to bring Boozer back.

But four and a half years after the darkest days of the Cavaliers franchise, Boozer's greed and selfishness could - could - come back to play a large part in which direction the Cavs organization goes.

Try that for "déjà vu."

Tags: Anderson Varejao, Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert, Deron Williams, Gordon Gund, Jim Paxson, LeBron James, Mehmet Okur, Paul Millsap, Shawn Marion, Utah Jazz, Wally Szczerbiak, Wally Szczerbiak's Expiring Contract, Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Discussion

18 Comments on "The Carlos Boozer Chronicles: Four Years Later"

Posted by ozward, December 18, 2008 2:46 PM

i know we all hate him, but would it really be that crazy to trade wally for boozer? it would obviously be a rental. we wouldnt have to get bitter about boozer walking in the summer because 1. we know about it going into the deal and 2. still leaves us with 11 some million dollars to test free agency.

forget about how he's a backstabber off the court. he's played with james (might not be too disruptive to chemistry).

is it really that crazy to think that a james boozer combination might be what gets us over the top? -this year?

if we're going for broke, for the championship THIS YEAR, wouldnt a boozer aquisition make the most sense in setting us up for now AND the future?

And what if we got him and won? Maybe he'd want to stay around to defend that ring? probably not but hey, it could happen. if he left again then he'd leave again, but at least we'd have space to work towards the future.

I know, I know, this is pretty much blasphemy. But wally's numbers nearly match up with his (contract wise). if it weren't for his previous transgressions against the cavs, would this post have been salivating all over boozer or ak-47?

I'm just sayin...

Posted by ozward, December 18, 2008 2:48 PM

or maybe with wally and snow... and jj (?) we could get both...

Posted by mike, December 18, 2008 3:48 PM

i realize this scenario would almost never happen, but it would be GREAT if boozer doesnt opt out, the jazz don't move anyone else and then the cavs swoop in next summer to make an offer to millsap which the jazz can't match. what goes around, comes around! (i know this wont happen, but it was be poetic justice).

Posted by swiggidy, December 18, 2008 3:52 PM

Why would you want to base the future on someone with no loyalty and a history of injury issues?

Boozer does not deserve a team like Cleveland (nice to be able to say that in a good light).

Your thought process pisses me off (but not quite in a curb stomping way ;-)

Posted by ozward, December 18, 2008 5:51 PM

swiggidy,

not basing the future on a liar with no loyalty. just the second half of this season (potentially the second to last season of james' career in cleveland).

boozer may not deserve a team like cleveland, but a team like cleveland might need a player like him (more than a player like ak47).

my thought process only goes through june 2009. if he works then he works, if he doesn't then we still have cap space next summer.

what is wrong with aquiring boozer other than the fact he lied to cleveland? it was 4 years ago. is there zero forgiveness in cleveland?

let's all get over it and move on to the future. we need to win before 2010 and even the strongest believers in james'-staying-in-c-town know that.

Posted by Brett, December 18, 2008 6:05 PM

Lets make something very very clear right now. Carlos Boozer coming back to the Cavs was as likely as CC going back to the Indians, as likely George Bush winning the white house for a third term, and as likely as me having sexual relationships with Jennifer Aniston combined. It not going to happen. The point of the article is getting AK 47, not Boozer. You don't reward back stabbing, the Cavs chemistry would be in jeopardy just at the thought of the upcoming summer. He is a great player, but the Cavs need players who make them better as a group, not with pieces that don't fit. As a player he fits, as a person, its like adding nuclear bombs in the locker room. So before you start having wet dreams over the prospect of LeBron and Boozer playing together, start realizing Wally at least has a role that brings the team together. He is unselfish, and dedicated to the team. Boozer is dedicated to his wallet. I guess I could have just summed this up in a simple sentence. Carlos Boozer WAS a Cavalier, he will never be one again.

Posted by ozward, December 18, 2008 6:29 PM

fair enough. all i'm saying is that a player like him fits better than a player like ak.

i disagree however, he's played with z and lebron. i don't think he would do any more damage to the team chem because of the impending free agency than lebron's impending free agency. i think the players on the cavs would realize what boozer is there for and for how long. this isn't sunshine happy camp, it's still a business and all the players know that.

i realize he's never coming back to cleveland. i just think it's absurd to write him off forever because he's a liar. wally is making great contributions and has a place on our team. at the end of the day though, i wouldn't miss a wink of sleep after a wally/boozer exchange - ESPECIALLY when we play the celts.

I think I just want to see them play together again. Couple that with the fact that I am OVER the fact he lied and left Cleveland, and my wishes are pretty clear.

I know he's not coming back, but why do we still need to skewer him? Why are us Cleveland sports fans so vindictive? It's bad karma. It's something brats do. Whining about Boozer being a dirtbag will not bring rings to our beloved Cavs' fingers.

It was a different owner, a different GM, and a different coach. Get over it. Boozer is a better answer than AK or Wally.

Posted by Shane Gentry, December 18, 2008 7:06 PM

I thought because Snow's contract is tied up in injury settlement we can't even trade him?

As for Boozer, fuck him, LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR. Did I mention he'd stab his mother in the back for 10 million of he knew she was dead next year anyways?

Anyways, I say no trades this year.

Posted by Charlie, December 18, 2008 8:36 PM

Maybe I'm missing something, but why would the Jazz trade Boozer for Wally? It would essentially be one expiring contract for another. Unless they really thought Boozer would be that big of a morale crusher for the team and would just be happy to get rid of him ... in which case, why would we want him? That said ... if Boozer for Wally is on the table, we should at least consider it, even as just a rental. 20-10 from the power forward spot would look pretty damn good. Because here's the scary thing that no-one's talking about: as incredible as Boston was last year, they're even better this year. I think we're close ... but still not quite at their level.

My problem with AK-47 is the same with Marion: where do we play him? I don't like moving LBJ to the 4 ... although I have to say moving him back to the 2 might be interesting. We'd have mismatches in our favor every game (although LBJ is a mismatch no matter who guards him) and our perimeter D gets better.

I wouldn't be shocked if the Cavs don't make any major moves this year ... not just because the chemistry is good and they're winning, but because we don't seem to be a good fit considering the players that might be on the block. If we're going to make a "smaller" move, I wouldn't mind seeing the Cavs go after a good defending guard. Delonte's about the only guy who can consistently stay in front of whoever he's guarding.

#10

Posted by Smooth, December 18, 2008 9:12 PM

As long as Gordan Gund is a part of this team, Carlos Boozer will not be coming back to Cleveland.

And AK's contract is way too long and way too big.

#11

Posted by Jordan, December 18, 2008 9:16 PM

I'm fully on the AK-47 bandwagon. You bring him off the bench and let him lead the bench bunch a la Lamar Odom and Manu Ginobili. Just because a guy comes off the bench doesn't mean they can't put in 25-30 minutes a game and contribute in a BIG way.

#12

Posted by barry, December 19, 2008 12:36 AM

even if i thought he'd be a good fit - i don't - he's still a defensive liability despite his numbers - i'd rather visit a proctologist named dr. hook before seeing carlos boozer in a cavs uniform again.

#13

Posted by Bruce, December 19, 2008 8:17 AM

send boozer to the shitiest team in the nba lets see him earn his money put and ad on e bay pwr fordward /cheerleader for sale why e bay the buyer has to pay for shipping will consider all waterboy and cheerleader that the way we see it in utah

#14

Posted by ozward, December 19, 2008 2:26 PM

"So the Jazz's top scorer and rebounder is opting out of his contract in order to become a free agent next summer. This has to rank with 'chocolate is popular' on the surprise-o- meter. After all, this is Carlos Boozer, the Pick-and-Chooser. Nothing personal, just business. ... Boozer has always been enigmatic. He can be polite yet aloof, never really warming to media or fans. He is a master of the nine-mile stare. He couldn't appear more disinterested if he were assembling cheeseburgers at Wendy's. At the same time, he has never been called a divisive influence in the locker room. Jerry Sloan has never sent him to the showers for arguing. And boy, is the man consistent. You can always count on two things from Boozer: a double-double and dreadful defense."

That's my final argument. I know it's not happening.

#15

Posted by Celticsfanatic, December 19, 2008 4:17 PM

Wow great article Amar. Being a Celtics fan, I am already afraid of the Cavs. With the possibility of Kirilenko coming to Cleveland, and with Wally Szczerbiak the only one leaving, IT GIVES ME CHILLS.

#16

Posted by Charlie, December 19, 2008 5:51 PM

The thing with Kirilenko too, is that he makes $15 million this year, $16.5 next year, and almost $18 the year after. Does it make sense to pay that kind of money to a guy who'd probably give us 12 & 5 off the bench?

Vince Carter actually makes less than AK-47 ... I'm not saying Vince would be the answer either, but I'm just putting it in perspective.

#17

Posted by Zach Harper in reply to comment from Charlie, December 20, 2008 6:10 PM

With Kirilenko, the Cavs would have so many more lineup options than Vince Carter. The versatility might be worth the extra money if LeBron can get the most out of him. I like AK in Cleveland better than someone who doesn't seem to care about winning.

#18

Posted by cleveland fans are gay, December 22, 2008 5:49 PM

nothing is going to come around ur not getting ak wally is not coming to utah and forget it the jazz r better then the cavs

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