Utah Jazz: Round and round Boozer goes, where he ends up nobody knows

Trade rumors regarding Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer were aplenty late Monday and Tuesday:

From Bulls.com blogger and longtime NBA writer Sam Smith, reporting from the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas: "The (Detroit) Pistons have been one of the teams mentioned ... though some speculation here was Boozer may end up in Miami in a deal involving Udonis Haslem."

From South Florida Sun-Sentinel blogger Ira Winderman: "As for Boozer, there is both smoke and fire. He wants to be in South Florida. (Miami star Dwyane) Wade would like him as a running partner (although saying he is pushing for such a trade might be overstatement). And while it initially appeared that the Heat did not have anything to offer, (Jazz coach) Jerry Sloan's interest and fascination with blue-collar types such as Udonis Haslem should not be understated.

"(Boozer) will be moved, the question is where and how a trade can be structured that trims 2009-10 salary for the Jazz. Until Boozer is dealt, the Heat figures to remain in the equation. Don't discount the Heat's trade exception as being part of a salary-cutting fix for Utah."

From cbssports.com's Ken Berger, reporting from Las Vegas: "The scenario is complicated by the fact that Utah would want to bring back as little salary as possible to avoid luxury-tax ramifications, meaning a third team would have to be recruited as a salary dumping ground.

"Oklahoma City, with $11.5 million in cap room, is the most logical choice. But the Thunder don't appear to be willing to disrupt their financial horizon.

"Memphis has room and will get $5.2 million more on Friday.

"The Pistons cleared $1.8 million more by trading Arron Affalo and Walter Sharpe to Denver (on Monday) for a second-round pick and cash. The Pistons now have more than $5 million in cap space and could emerge as a factor in the Boozer talks, (a) person familiar with the situation said."

The New York Post's Marc Berman, also from Vegas: "Knicks president (Donnie Walsh) acknowledged interest in trading for Boozer, who could more than replace (restricted free agent David) Lee. But it seems a long shot because several teams, including the Bulls, are involved.

" 'I'm not sure we have anybody they (the Jazz) want,' " Berman quoted Walsh as saying.

"According to a source, Walsh loves Boozer's inside game and his contract. ... Walsh believes Boozer will be traded and has spoken to the Jazz.

" 'Everyone knows the Knicks are after one-year contracts,' the source said.

"The Knicks' best pawn is the expiring pact of retired Cuttino Mobley, which is covered mostly by insurance.

"The Knicks' thinking on Boozer is he would increase the likelihood of another star free agent coming aboard in 2010, though Walsh likely would have to gain more cap space."

From ESPN.com's Marc Stein, in Vegas as well: "The (Golden State) Warriors insist that, contrary to ongoing speculation, they are not chasing a trade for Boozer."

e-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com