Boozer says he doesn't plan to return to Utah Jazz

Carlos Boozer has been rumored to be headed anywhere from New York to New Jersey to Detroit to Houston for the 2009-10 season. But the power forward has made it more than clear in recent weeks that he'd like playing in Chicago and that he'd really, really love playing in Miami next year.

So, can he envision himself returning for a sixth season in Utah?

When asked a similar question Monday by a Miami sports-radio host, the Jazz power forward-for-now gave a simple, four-letter, two-word response:

"Um, no."

And that was just part of the somewhat juicy stuff he shared on Florida airwaves where he currently calls home. During the interview with WQAM's Joe Rose, Boozer, who recently opted to play out the final year of his contract with the Jazz for $12.7 million, also:

-- voiced concerns about financial hardships caused by the "lull" in the economy and taxes;

-- lauded his own playoff performance this past spring against the Los Angeles Lakers;

-- declared himself "100 percent healthy;"

-- reiterated his desire to make the South Beach area his year-round home instead of just an offseason destination.

Boozer also played to the Heat's hometown crowd while talking about possibly playing on the same team as his former Olympic teammate, buddy and Miami superstar, Dwyane Wade.

"We're in our prime right now," Boozer said. "I tell you one thing, it would be a hell of a combo."

Boozer said the ball is in the Jazz's court as far as trading him — something he recently claimed the organization told him it was going to do because he allegedly doesn't fit into its long-term plans — but the two-time All-Star added that he isn't pressuring the Jazz to deal him to the Heat.

"That's not my style. It's not me and what we do," he said. "They're in control of that situation.

"Obviously," he added, "they'll handle it in the best way that they can. They'll keep me and my agent abroad and just see what happens, but I'm staying out of it. My agent's staying out of it for the most part. We're letting (Jazz general manager) Kevin O'Connor and the Utah Jazz take care of the stituation."

But, hypothetically speaking (apparently), Boozer wouldn't be opposed to being moved to Miami.

"I mean, for players that come to the Heat, it's very exciting for a couple of different reasons," he said. "One, they have one of the top-notch organizations in our league, in our sport. They're run by Pat Riley. They have a brand-new coach in Erik Spoelstra who's very exciting, plays very up-tempo, very excited to be a coach right now. He coaches with a lot of enthusiasm.

"And they have one of the best players in the game in Dwyane Wade. If a player does come to the Miami Heat, they have a lot to look forward to on top of being in Miami."

One of the biggest incentives: no state income tax. That is a very enticing benefit of Florida living, according to Boozer, who will make $12.7 million next year wherever he plays.

"Especially in this economy," he said when asked about Florida's tax-friendly situation. "With the lull that we're having, obviously it's a great (incentive) to not have to pay a state tax.

"As fortunate as we are to have the jobs that we do, it's still tough when you're getting hit by the taxes that we get hit by," Boozer added. "And we're all going through a tough time right now financially. But at the same time, to live in a place where you don't have to pay state tax, it gives you a little bit more of the money that you earn in your bank account."