| Miami Should Get Drunk On Boozer Authored by Patrick J. Austin - December 23, 2008 - 8:12 pm
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When? Sooner rather than later.
How? Good question.
As reports trickle in about Boozer's apparent trade request last season, his declaration to opt out of his contract this summer and his family's residence in Miami, it all adds up to the original statement -– Boozer is going to end up with the Heat one way or another.
Should the Utah Jazz trade Boozer? Reports indicate they almost did last season. Of course, it was out of respect to Boozer's personal request, stemming from his son's diagnosis of sickle cell anemia and a better recovery atmosphere in Miami.
The Jazz have always been a classy organization and trading Boozer under those conditions would have been commendable. But if they trade him now, the motivation won't be philanthropic; it will be out of the best interest of the franchise.
Utah does not want to repeat the mistake made by the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2004. That's the year Boozer requested that the Cavs not pick up the team option on his contract so that he could re-sign with the club for the long-term with a heftier base salary. Cavs owner, Gordon Gund satisfied the request, but was shafted as Boozer signed a mega-deal with the Utah Jazz.
It's certainly plausible that Boozer will opt out of his contract this coming off-season, bolting Utah and signing a max contract with the Heat, if they have the money available.
That leads to the "how?" query. Miami has many options on how to land the all-star forward.
1. Create cap space for the summer of 2009
The Heat are currently positioned to have oodles of cap space in 2010. However, if they want to land Boozer this summer, they need to make a trade to offload the cap-clogging contract of either Mark Blount or Marcus Banks, preferably both. This would ensure the Heat have maximum cap space to sign Boozer to an Elton Brand-type contract.
They could send Mark Blount and a future first round pick to the New York Knicks in exchange for Malik Rose. Or, they could package Shawn Marion with Blount and Banks in exchange for the disgruntled Stephon Marbury and the aforementioned Rose.
Of course, that trade would hinge on the Knicks interest in taking on Banks' contract, which extends past the anticipated summer of 2010.
2. Trade Michael Beasley and Mark Blount to the Jazz for Boozer and Jarron Collins
Most Jazz fans are pretty amenable to this scenario. If the supposition is that Boozer will inevitably leave Utah, netting a talented young prospect like Beasley would strengthen the long-term health of the franchise and give Utah a potential stud to pair with Deron Williams.
Conversely, most Heat fans hate the idea of giving up on Beasley so early and taking the "win-now" route with Boozer. However, let's not forget Pat Riley is running the show in Miami. His track record proves he is willing to deal youth in order to become a contender now. He traded two young talents in Caron Butler and Lamar Odom (not to mention a first round pick) in order to land Shaq in 2004.
It would not be shocking to see Riley move Beasley, who's still relatively unproven, for a 20/10 big man who would catapult Miami back into contention in the East.
3. Trade Shawn Marion, Udonis Haslem, Jamaal Magloire and a future first round pick to the Jazz for Boozer, Matt Harpring, and Jarron Collins
Most Heat fans like this scenario. It lands Boozer while retaining Beasley. Conversely, most Jazz fans aren't too fond of giving up Boozer without getting a top-of-the-line prospect like Beasley.
However, given the predicament of Boozer's impending player option, they may have no choice but to go this route.
Fortunately, this route isn't that bad. Marion's expiring contract would give the Jazz plenty of cap flexibility to re-tool the team in the off-season while Haslem is a double-double forward who would fit perfectly in a Jerry Sloan system. And let's not forget, Paul Millsap is playing out of his mind right now. Maybe opening up more consistent playing time for PM would be a wise decision.
Whichever scenario occurs, rest assured Carlos Boozer will eventually don a red and white uniform and enjoy the sun rises on South Beach. It only comes down to when and how.
Send feedback to Patrick at pja123@hotmail.com |
