7 Reasons the Jazz Need to Trade Boozer
by clarkpojo
on Aug 7, 2008 1:24 PM MDT
1. Trading him would ensure that we get something back with his departure. When, not if, Boozer opts out of his contract at the end of the season, he could sign with another team and the Jazz wouldn't be guaranteed to land a free agent to take his place. And a sign and trade would be difficult and not a sure thing either. Trading him is the only way, we ensure getting something for him.
2. We can't have two front court players that can't block a shot. With a starting power forward and center who have a combined vertical jump of 18 inches and average reaches, opposing team's guards must light up if they get by their man. Because Boozer and Okur are going to get posterized if they try to block McGrady or Bryant's shot.
3. His trade value is so high right now. With the amount of teams in the East that don't have a low post presence (Bulls, Pacers, Bucks, Wizards, Cavs (whoops)) and teams like Detroit that are looking for a change in personnel, the Jazz could get great return on a Boozer trade. It isn't unheard of that we could get a marquee player like Deng, or Jamison, or Michael Redd, and some picks or a young up and coming player. Deng and Kirilenko would make a fun 3-4 tandem.
4. Andrei Kirilenko would be able to move to his more natural position. We cringe at AK's bloated contract now, but the guy was ridiculous when he was the starting power forward. Bill Simmons called him "one of two players i would pay money to watch." Three times in his career, AK has posted quintuple fives (at least 5 in 5 categories) and is one of two people (Hakeem Olajuwon) to record quintuple sixes.
5. His matador defense costs the team games. Remember when Zach Randolph scored 25 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and shot 11-14 from the floor in an inexcusable road loss to the Knicks. And no Jazz fan can forget when Drew Gooden and Charlie Villanueva each scored 26 points against the Jazz almost doubling their season averages. And in both of our losses to Minnesota on the road, the Jazz couldn't stop Al Jefferson in the fourth quarter. By my estimate, Boozer's defensive non-efforts, cost the Jazz about 4 games last season and really the #1 seed.
6. Deron is the leader of this team and Boozer's ego might not be able to handle that. The reason the Jazz could thrive with two superstars in the 90's, is because one of those superstars was John Stockton. He didn't care about glory, or money, or wearing modest basketball shorts. Deron is the leader of the Jazz in spirit and in checkbook and if Boozer can't accept that, there is potential for problems.
7. 15 points, 11 rebounds and 36% shooting. Those are the numbers that Boozer put up in the Lakers series, well under his averages. Boozer did a bit of a disappearing act in the series being outplayed by Odom on offense and defense. And since we lost two of those games, by less than 7 points, Boozer's play could have been the difference. The Jazz need players that can take them to the promised land.
7b. If Boozer asks the Jazz to trade him. Fans won't want to hear this, but family is more important than basketball. It hurt at the time, but the Jazz absolutely made the right decision in letting Derek Fisher go. If Boozer needed to move to improve the health of his son with sickle cell anemia, the Jazz should grant his wish.
All comments are the opinion of the commenter and not necessarily that of SLC Dunk or SB Nation.
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I think the AK thing is huge...
one of the 2 seems to have to go.
They both play the same position (provided that J-Slow realizes this).
AK gives us more of an all-around threat at the position… Booze is a beast down-low on the offensive end.
Defensively… yeah.
I’ve been calling for AK to be moved to the 4 for like 2 years now… the only problem is that we have Booze & ‘Sap there already. Not much time for him.
As for Booze’s son… you’d have to think that plays into consideration after the year, no? The Jazz might be able to offer more money… but is it really worth it?
Great job with these. Your next one (just to provide you a challenge)... 7 reasons to keep Jarron Collins around. :)
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on Aug 7, 2008 1:50 PM MDT 0 recs
The one problem with trading Booze, though
is that all of a sudden the team has no offensive threat inside.
AK? Nope.
Okur? He prefers standing outside.
Koufos? Not ready… does he have an inside game?
Fesenko? Not ready, and not much of an inside game.
Flop? God no. Plus I don’t think he’s got much of an inside game either.
Deron/Price/Knight/CJ/Brewer/Almond/Korver/No Knees? Um… ha ha ha?
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on Aug 7, 2008 2:06 PM MDT 0 recs
That’s probably the single biggest reason to keep Booze. Inside scoring is vital, especially to set up outside shots.
by Vromanite on
Aug 7, 2008 3:44 PM MDT
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Interesting..
Boozer-for-Deng and other players/picks is interesting. Then you could move AK to the 4. But Sloan’s offense thrives on the pick-and-roll, and I don’t see AK being all that effective there. At least not as effective as Booze or Okur. I could be wrong though. AK thrived at the 4 before Boozer.
But I’m still for keeping Boozer around for another year. He has yet to hit his prime. I keep trying to tell myself that we haven’t seen the best of this Jazz team yet… It’s how I keep myself sane while KOC sits on his can and does nothing!
Whitewater In The Morning
by neff on Aug 7, 2008 2:11 PM MDT 0 recs
Deng is a Base-Year Compensation player thanks to his shiny new $71 million contact, which means the Bulls can only take back half of his salary in a trade. According to the ESPN Trade Machine his contract for 2008-09 is $9,385,000, so his trade value is $4,562,500, which is well short of the 125% rule. (For two teams over the salary cap the contracts of the traded players must be within 125% + $100,000 of each other). In order to trade Deng for Boozer Chicago would have to throw in another player to match Boozer’s $11.5 million contract. Deng + Nocioni should do it.
Of course, this all academic until December 15 when Deng becomes eligible for a trade. (Free agents signed in the off-season can not be traded until December 15).
by kris247 on
Aug 7, 2008 4:40 PM MDT
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He didn’t care about glory, or money, or wearing modest basketball shorts.
Excellent.
by Basketball John on Aug 7, 2008 2:51 PM MDT 0 recs
my wish
if it comes down to it i would trade boozer any day over ak. ak back at the 4 with a shot blocking center would immediatly put us into contention. but who would play the 5 spot? i dont know, but if we could get that the paint would be on lock. i dont know why anyone would trade ak over booz thats ludakrissss. so please put this on the top of your to do list kevin o’ and bring us a championship!
by UtonganKidInCali on Aug 7, 2008 3:36 PM MDT 0 recs
The one problem with trading booze....
Is y’all won’t get to hear me bitch about him being a snake anymore!
by Ute Awe Man on Aug 7, 2008 4:49 PM MDT 0 recs
I'm pretty sure you'll find someone else.
:)
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Aug 7, 2008 5:05 PM MDT
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would anyone care to imagine our defense...
if the jazz traded AK instead of Boozer?
if the jazz want to win, boozer needs to go not because he is a snake (although that certainly supports the argument for trading him), but because you can’t win playing 4-on-5 at one end of the court.
does anyone remember what he said during the playoffs in regards to foul trouble? he said that he was being TOO aggressive and had to be less so. anyone that watched the playoffs knows what a complete joke that was. he kept talking about how he was playing well and what a great player he is. which to me means that we shouldn’t expect him to put forth the effort to improve on aspects of his game where he is lacking.
and for those that don’t think AK is enough to man the 4 by himself, I think PF by committee (AK+Sap and with minutes from Memo, Harp, whatever need be) would more than do the trick.
finally, remember Fess’ first NBA game vs the Lakers? boozer sat out due to injury and AK played at PF. he played out of his mind. it was pure joy to watch AK at his best—and he ended the game with a triple double and one block short of a 5×6, man the jazz looked so good without booz.
by moni on Aug 7, 2008 6:37 PM MDT 0 recs
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