Utah Jazz: Boozer to Heat just a rumor

MIAMI — Although Carlos Boozer wants to be traded to the Heat, Miami has put the issue on hold, at least for now.

"We listen to all inquiries, but there is nothing going on," Heat President Pat Riley said Tuesday about Boozer in his first public comment since June.

Contrary to an Internet report, there was no discussion with Memphis about a deal that would send Udonis Haslem to Utah, Boozer to Miami and Dorell Wright to the Grizzlies. The Heat likes Boozer — his skill set and expiring contract are appealing — and might pursue a trade eventually, but the priority now is waiting on free agent Lamar Odom's decision.

The Heat believes Odom is still strongly considering Miami's five-year, $34 million offer, though many consider the Lakers the front-runner to retain him because they can offer more money.

If Odom signs with Miami and if Dwyane Wade re-signs by next summer, the Heat would need to trim salary eventually in order to have room to sign a second maximum-salary free agent in 2010 (such as Chris Bosh). That could be done by buying out James Jones next summer, not picking up the 2010-11 option on Daequan Cook or trading one of its two 2010 first-round draft picks.