Utah Jazz: Boozer not headed to Dallas or South Africa

Add the Dallas Mavericks to the list of NBA teams that were — and perhaps still are — interested in acquiring trade-craving Carlos Boozer.

While you're at it, scratch South Africa off of Boozer's more immediate travel itinerary.

Though it's still unclear where exactly he'll end up this NBA season, Boozer won't be going to Johannesburg this week to participate in the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program Wednesday through Sunday as was announced earlier this summer.

The Jazz power forward is a late scratch from the league's successful international outreach program due to a family emergency, an NBA source involved with the camp said on Sunday.

It wasn't announced whether Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh — Boozer's 2008 Olympic teammates — will still attend the camps with other current and former NBA players. However, Bosh posted on his Twitter account that he is leaving for South Africa today.

As for the Dallas situation, the Mavericks were among the possible Boozer suitors with whom the Jazz have talked swap this offseason, according to ESPN's Chad Ford. The NBA writer also recently reported that the Jazz have discussed possible deals with the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons. He didn't mention Portland, Memphis, New York, Sacramento or Houston, but Boozer's name has surfaced in rumors and reports along with those teams this summer as well.

Boozer told a radio station this summer that the Jazz informed him that he was no longer in their future plans and claimed that the franchise's management would seek a trade for him before the 2009-10 season.

Ford pointed out that the Jazz's economic situation, which has them well over the luxury-tax threshold after re-signing Paul Millsap and getting Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Kyle Korver back through player options, "has led GM Kevin O'Connor to actively pursue trades for Boozer."

Ford did not write about possible trade scenarios between Dallas and Utah.

Also this past weekend, a blog from New York-based Newsday listed Boozer as being a potential target of the Knicks if they were to work out a sign-and-trade deal with young power forward David Lee. Knicks writer Alan Hahn, however, somewhat dismissed that scenario after bringing it up.

"The Jazz, however, just made that long-term commitment to (Paul) Millsap and are over the luxury tax threshold," Hahn wrote. "It is hard to believe they would prefer to give up an all-star talent like Boozer to add a long-term deal for Lee."

Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor is out of town and unavailable for comment.

A LARGE HALL: More than twice as many people as usual will get to attend the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the Class of 2009 next week in Springfield, Mass. Those in attendance, who'll also witness Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and legendary point guard John Stockton be enshrined into hoops immortality, can thank Michael Jordan for the bigger venue.

The Boston Globe reported that because of His Airness, there has been "a huge increase in interest" in this year's ceremony, and the Hall of Fame organizers decided to move the program from the 1,200-seat Center Court room to Springfield Symphony Hall, which sits 2,611.

The bigger venue might be used in the future as well. Next year's class will be another prominent one, with Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen likely to be inducted.

"No question, people see this as a special class," Hall president John Doleva told the Globe. "This is the next step in the evolution of the Hall. In this era of Hall inductions, so many recognizable names will be eligible and enshrined."

MAYNOR ADDITION: As he did after the Jazz drafted Eric Maynor in the first round in June, Ford reiterated his approval of Utah snatching up the Virginia Commonwealth point guard.

"The addition of Maynor was the most underrated move of the draft," Ford wrote. "He'll be a perfect backup for Deron Williams."

ALUMNI UPDATE: Ex-Jazz backup point guard Carlos Arroyo could return to the NBA and play for the Bulls this season, according to a report from a Puerto Rican newspaper via ESPN.com ... Arroyo also recently made headlines when his first single, "Oculto Secreto," which means hidden secret, made its debut on radio on iTunes. ... Former Jazz guard/forward Calbert Cheaney has joined the coaching staff of the Golden State Warriors as a special assistant.

e-mail: jody@desnews.com