Utah Jazz: Trade rumors have Jazz discussing Boozer to Bulls
While Carlos Boozer's name was getting batted around in a trade rumor Thursday, Paul Millsap's was swaying in limbo.
ESPN.com reported Thursday afternoon that the Jazz have spoken with Portland and Chicago about a potential trade that would send two-time All-Star power forward Boozer to the Bulls and bring forward Tyrus Thomas to Utah from the Windy City.
Millsap, meanwhile, still apparently was waiting for a supposed contract offer that the Oregonian newspaper reported Wednesday was being "prepared."
The Jazz remain very much interested in keeping Millsap, their backup power forward and a restricted free agent.
But they also appear inclined to untangle the financial mess they appear headed for next season, and — with more than $73 million in payroll already on the books for next season — they seem to think moving Boozer and the remaining $12,657,233 on his contract may be the best path for that.
Utah has been trying to move Boozer ever since his decision late last month to opt into the final season of his six-year, $68 million deal.
Thomas, a three-year pro and the 2006 NBA Draft's No. 4 overall pick out of Louisiana State, averaged a career-high 10.8 points and career-high 6.4 rebounds per game for the Bulls this past season. He is due $4,743,598 next season.
Citing unnamed "NBA front-office sources," ESPN.com reported that the discussed swap also would send guard Kirk Hinrich from Chicago to Portland, that "no deal was imminent Thursday" and that "both Portland and Utah are still evaluating multiple trade scenarios."
The Web site reported that two sources deemed the talks substantive, and that "it's possible that other players would be added to balance out the transaction from a salary-cap perspective if the three teams elect to take these talks further."
Such a deal, according to ESPN.com's John Hollinger, would put the Bulls $20 million under the NBA's team salary cap for next season — and in prime position to be a player in next summer's free-agency market.
Word out of Chicago on Thursday night, however, was that while the Jazz did call, it was mostly to gauge Boozer's value and the Bulls' potential interest in him.
News of the trade talk, in fact, was largely dismissed by the Chicago Tribune, which made it a two-paragraph note in a notebook topped by news of reserve point guard Jannero Pargo's one-year, $2 million signing with the Bulls.
Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor did not comment on the trade report.
Recent comments
Agreed. I'd take Salmons off of the Bulls hands any day.
CJ3 | July 14, 2009 at 2:48 p.m.
I'm not saying he's not capable of playing D, he just seems...
jbra80 | July 14, 2009 at 10:27 a.m.
Shaq had a resurgent, All-Star season, and it could be argued Booz...
CJ3 | July 14, 2009 at 9:58 a.m.
- Utah Jazz gameday 1:50 a.m.
- Heat's Chalmers ends starts streak 1:47 a.m.
- Utah Utes football: Ute's safety net 1:19 a.m.
- Jazz miss Harpring's toughness 1:17 a.m.
- Boozer plays at an All-Star level 1:16 a.m.
- Will Chambers keep his promise? 1:15 a.m.
- Abbas: Peace deal within 6 months 1:14 a.m.
- Aggies looking for Bakersfield win 1:13 a.m.
- Farve's geezer comeback story 1:12 a.m.
- Report: Kim Jong Il health worsens 1:07 a.m.
- Cougar seniors see a new Bronco
- Cougs brace for coaching changes
- Cougars O-line a strength
- Josh Powell meets with WVC police
- Fun games to enliven holiday parties
- Bleak holiday for Powell's boys
- Jazz stunned by Timberwolves
- Top 20 boys basketball
- Boy shot in head during struggle dies
- Man lives in Moab cave
- Jazz stunned by Timberwolves
112 - BYU to wear royal blue uniforms
108 - TV mom gives birth to 19th child
103 - Sources: Josh Powell hires attorney
100 - Stay the course with our president
98 - Choir, guests unwrap musical magic
86 - Letters: Explaining Palin
82 - Barkley says Boozer is big problem
81 - Letters: 'Liberal conceit'
74 - Wet spot found in Powell's home
74
Wednesday night will mark the 12th annual party for the Children with...
Here are some quick observations from Tuesday night's slate of boys...
...you better take note that BYU has won 3 of the last 4 and the Utes are...
olympus destroyed bingham.
olympus is number 1... they destroyed bingham and was up almost the entire...
He gave the appropriate sentence and can't go above and beyond what the law...
is the best player in the State. Go Weber let's take care of the Runnin...
Many gays have singled out LDS for hate but LDS have often spoken in favor...
I hope that you're never on a jury. You're logic is that of a true simpleton....
Pagan, Maybe Bell's neighbors didn't attack him because he was gay. They...
According to Max Hall.
@Anonymous: stay anonymous. Even negative non-Fulbrighters should be able to...


