Utah Jazz: Boozer says contract status is up to Jazz

Unless Boozer plans to sign for nothing more than mid-level salary-exception money – a multi-year deal starting with an annual salary in the mid-to-high $5 million range – he'd have to get Utah to agree to a sign-and-trade in order to land with the Nets.

And agreeing to mid-level money seems decidedly unlikely, as Boozer already has said publicly – first during his December interview with ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan – that he fully expects a pay raise starting next season.

Detroit, on the other hand, has enough team payroll salary cap space to sign Boozer without having to go the sign-and-trade route.

Still, Harris is hopeful.

"I've kind of played with Boozer a couple of times over the summer, so I know what he's capable of doing," the Nets point told WFAN.

"Obviously, going, playing, against him, he's a talented player – but I think he fits right to what we do."

On a related note, the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reported over the weekend that Boozer now lives at least part-time in New Jersey.

One Web site, Nets.com, also reported Boozer was seen in New Jersey with his agent back in early May.

According to the Star-Ledger: "He's obviously comfortable in Jersey – he has a home here, if only to be close to the health care specialists that his son requires."

Boozer's young son, Carmani, has endured a well-chronicled battle with sickle cell anemia that included bone marrow transplant surgery.

E-MAIL: tbuckley@desnews.com