Utah Jazz: L.A.'s Chris Kaman, not Carlos Boozer, late All-Star addition

LOS ANGELES — With word out that a replacement would be needed for injured Portland shooting guard Brandon Roy at Sunday's NBA All-Star Game in Texas, Jazz point guard Deron Williams — an All-Star himself this season — figured teammate Carlos Boozer was the obvious choice.

"He should be in," Willliams said prior to practice Monday. "Personally, I don't see who else could make it over him."

NBA commissioner David Stern saw otherwise.

A few hours after Williams spoke, Stern on Monday tapped center Chris Kaman of the Los Angeles Clippers — the Jazz's opponent tonight in their second-to-last game before the All-Star break — as Roy's replacement.

That being the case, and unless another Western Conference All-Star position opens, it looks like a taco stand in Mexico might get some big business this weekend from at least one Jazz player.

"It'd be great to go," said Boozer, who was still holding hope Monday morning that he'd be called for his third All-Star appearance.

"But ... if not," he added, "then I'll go to Cabo and have some fish tacos."

Pass the white sauce.

Kaman — having his best season, averaging 20.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks — was chosen despite Boozer's similar numbers (19.2 points, 10.8 on boards and 3.2 assists) on a much-better team.

The Clippers are 21-29 and out of the Western Conference playoff picture; the Jazz are 31-18, which at .633 marks the West's third-best winning percentage. Tweeted ESPN.com's John Hollinger, who apparently agreed with Williams' sentiments over Stern's: "Sorry folks, choice of Kaman over Boozer is completely indefensible."

TRADE TALK: With the league's Feb. 18 trade deadline approaching, Boozer's name remains hot in the NBA rumor mill.

New Jersey, however, evidently isn't a potential Jazz dance partner.

According to Monday's New York Post and plugged-in Nets beat writer Fred Kerber, "one team official said don't expect the Nets to be traders in the big man sweepstakes of potential free agents: 'The Jazz are talking to a lot of teams about Boozer but we're not one of them,' the official said."