Booz to Miami does not work

[Hikari]

As of right now Mami can't offer enough.

Can Miami offer the max?
For as much speculation as there's been linking Carlos Boozer to Miami, I've had my doubts about whether the Heat actually will be able to offer Boozer a max contract if the Jazz's All-Star forward opts out and becomes a free agent next summer.

The way it's projecting right now, I think I'm going to be right.

For starters, Shawn Marion will be a free agent and count against the cap as a max contract player (to the tune of roughly $21 million) unless the Heat choose to renounce his rights. But that would eliminate any possibility of a sign-and-trade involving Marion.

As for players under contract for 2009-10, Dwyane Wade ($15.779 million), Mark Blount ($9.070 million), Udonis Haslem ($7.1 million), Michael Beasley ($4.638 million), Marcus Banks ($4.553 million), James Jones ($4.330 million) and Daequan Cook ($1.362 million) are due to earn $46.832 million.

Even if they did renounce the rights to Marion, the Heat would have to take a roster charge equal to the NBA's rookie minimum ($457,588) for another five players. That's another $2.288 million, giving them a minimum of $49.12 million as their cap number.

Assuming the NBA's salary cap rises to $60 million (it's set at $58.68 million this season), the Heat could offer Boozer a contract starting at only $10.88 million. Remember, Boozer would be opting out of $12.657 million in Utah.

By my calculations, the biggest contract the Heat could offer Boozer right now would be for five years and about $63 million. A max contract would pay him in the neighborhood of $104 million for five years in Miami and even more in Utah.

If the Jazz were to start Boozer at $15 million a season - - less than a max contract - - they still would be able to offer him more than $113 million for six years. I'm not a math major, but that's pretty close to double what the Heat could offer as of today.

Working to create cap space to sign Elton Brand, Philadelphia traded Rodney Carney, Calvin Booth and a No. 1 pick to Minnesota earlier this month. The Heat could well do something similar for Boozer. I'm just describing their situation as of right now.

--Ross Siler

http://blogs.sltrib.com/jazz/

[hoops4life]

Interesting read... what if money isn't the only reason why he wants to go to Miami? Then what?

[BiggMann]

I dont trust Siler's cap cruching numbers.

With Marion hitting the market they are getting close to 17million coming off their books, they'll have flexablity with some other assests (Haslem, Blount exp) if they add another PF... so dont believe this mess. Siler is just a sports writer trying to fill dead time, this is ridiculous, Boozer WILL opt out and SOMEONE will offer him near max dollars.

[erudite23]

That isn't fuzzy math at all. The Heat already do have ~45m committed for the following season, so even if the cap rises to 60m, that's less than 15m to start, with annual raises of 10% it would break down like this:

15m
16.5m
18.2m
20.0m
22.0m
Total: 5yr/91.7m

Far below what the Jazz could offer...and not only that, but that is without using the minimum cap hold for the other 5 roser spots....OR a possible 1st round draft pick. Miami will not be able to offer Boozer a max deal unless they find someone under the cap to take salaries off their hands without giving anything back in return. Its pretty simple.

[kwill]

Hoops4life, you are a very smart person. Two names should be going off in the heads of all Jazz fans. Barron Davis, Elton Brand. These players accepted a lot less money to move to their home city (Baron) or closer to home (Brand). Miami is Boozer's home, he lives their in the off season. One of the owners of the Heat is like Boozer second father (from Boozer's own mouth). The Heat don't really have a good power forward and Boozer did not shoot down the possibility of moving there. Boozer's son cannot live at high altitudes or it affects his health (no family all year). It is rumored that Cece hates SLC and that Boozer may have gotten into a little trouble being left all alone without any wifely attention. If I were the Jazz I would be very concerned that Boozer will exercise his option and leave next year for reasons completely unrelated to money.

I would not only pull the trigger on a sign a trade with Josh Smith, I would pull the trigger on the Gerald Wallace/Sean May trade proposal . I like Boozer, but he is not unstopable (play him with taller guys) and he struggles with help defense (his man defense is okay except when asked to guard small forwards like Odom). Either or both of these trades could set the Jazz back or could help them. Both trades would help the cap space and make it easier to sign Milsap. IMO, a young Jazz team that could stay together for 3 to five years would be fun to watch and I think would compete for the championship.

Finally, I know this is my first post but I have been reading this site and other for many years. I am 38 and I live in Vegas. I will not post often, if at all, but I am an avid reader of all things Jazz and read this Board everyday. I grew up watching the Jazz my entire life and have watched every Jazz game for the last several years courtesy of Directv.

[The Sheik]

Do you have sources on your Boozer info? Or are you just listening to people that talk to the VPS valets too much?

Everyone knows that Boozer is going to opt out. Everyone knows that he cares about 2 things...stats/accolades and getting paid. Utah is his #1 option. Boozer ****ed over a blind guy to get paid, you really think he is going to go to Miami just cuz he lives there and give up 20 mil that he wont get at the end of his contract?

[hoops4life]

Are you married sheik?

If his wife does hate SLC and loves Miami, she is going to make it hell to live here and play here during the season.

Endorsement deals will be much better in Miami.

[kwill]

Sheik,

Everything I stated in regards to Boozer was printed in newspaper articles and posted on this and other Jazz sites. Some even came from Boozer's own mouth when he was asked to comment on all the trade rumors about him going to Miami. As for the rumored part, that came from message boards and may not be reliable, but the rest are facts. If I were Boozer and I was offered a five year 80 million from Miami and 6 six year 110 million from the Jazz, I would strongly consider Miami. Seeing my kids during the year is important to me and I could make up the extra money when I signed my second contract in Miami. Plus I could make significantly more money through Miami endorsements (lots of endorsement in a large city like Miami). Remember also Barron Davis opted out and took less than he would have made at Golden State. This is really strange when you consider that LA and Golden State are not that far away.

[fivas14]

Who's CeCe?

[Getjazz]

I know for a fact that Boozers wife left with the kids during the playoffs, not because of health reasons. But rather because she flew back to surprise him after a early playoff game against Houston and caught him with another women. Sorry if this is news to some but it is true. I have 2 sources that have verified this to me. One works for the Jazz and knows Boozer directly. The other is with a national company that Boozer is in contract with. So to say his wife hates it here is an understatement. He struggled during the playoffs because of this mistake. Nothing else.
He will be opting out and odds are he is gone. I just hope that the Jazz do something sooner than later in terms of a trade. I still like the Charlotte trade the most. Smith would be a great option as well.

[hoops4life]

Who's CeCe?

His wife... the boss... the person that wears the pants in his relationship.

Getjazz, interesting little story there.

[gonzo]

IF Boozer ends up in Miami, how does Beasley play into all this? I kind of thought the whole Miami thing died at the draft in regards to need at the PF.

[The Sheik]

Kwill, Im talking about your aduletry angle, everything else you stated is the truth.

Hoops4life, Im not married. I do understand that his wife has a big say in it.

Kwill you need to also stop using Baron Davis as an example. He opted out of a deal that made him more for one season to get a more lucrative amount over time. With his injury history and age I would have taken the last big contract too. As for Elton Brand he took the money, sure his family leaves 8 hrs away, but he pulled a Boozer and took the money.

I just think boozers bottom line is getting paid.

His son will eventually be able to live here, just not right now. They tried bringing the family back in Feb, but apparently Amani struggled with the altitude.

[kwill]

sheik

I do not want to start an argument on the first and last day I post something but I think your wrong on both accounts. Barron Davis opted out of his contract in Golden State that paid him a lot of money this year (17.8 million I think without checking). However, Golden State loved Barron and would have undoubtedly paid a max or close to max deal after next year. Golden State would have been able to give him a contract for 6 years not 5 like the Clippers. The truth is nobody from Golden State believed he would opt out for two reasons. First, he told him he wouldn't and second that was a lot of money on a one year contract. The fact of the matter is that Barron was going to get another contract from Golden State after next year, but he took less to go home.

As for Brand, he received multiple offers. It is my understanding that Golden State offered him a contract that exceeded 90 million and the Clippers eventually agreed to match the 76 deal. But he took less money and at least part of the reason he took less was to get back east and closer to home. This came directly from Elton Brand. There was also a recent report that suggested he wanted out of LA because he was tired of playing second fiddle to the Lakers, but I don't know if that is true. Anyway, I think Barron Davis and Elton Brand are very good examples of what can happen when a high value player becomes a free agent.

I know I'm worried, in fact I'm a little preoccupied by the possibility of losing Boozer for nothing when the Jazz could do many things this year to protect themselves.

[DelaneyRudd]

The heat can do a 76er like salary dump move to free up money with someone under the cap. Free 1st rounder to someone who takes Marcus Banks for a conditional 2nd rounder or Euro pick from 1999.

[schneiderjazz]

I'm starting to think that Boozer won't leave. As much as he might wanna go to Miami, I believe it's very unlikely he'll walk away from 30 million dollars or more. Boozer already made tons of money, but guys like Elton Brand and Baron Davis probably already made twice of what he did until now, that's why they're willing to take pay cuts. Boozer is an all-star, the focus of the offense and he has a team that's very close to making a run at the title in Utah. It doesn't get much better than that basketballwise.
And even if that story getjazz told were true, his wife won't want to let all that money go. If they get divorced, half of that money is hers and you can bet she thinks about it.

Sheik,

Everything I stated in regards to Boozer was printed in newspaper articles and posted on this and other Jazz sites. Some even came from Boozer's own mouth when he was asked to comment on all the trade rumors about him going to Miami. As for the rumored part, that came from message boards and may not be reliable, but the rest are facts. If I were Boozer and I was offered a five year 80 million from Miami and 6 six year 110 million from the Jazz, I would strongly consider Miami. Seeing my kids during the year is important to me and I could make up the extra money when I signed my second contract in Miami. Plus I could make significantly more money through Miami endorsements (lots of endorsement in a large city like Miami). Remember also Barron Davis opted out and took less than he would have made at Golden State. This is really strange when you consider that LA and Golden State are not that far away.

Good point about the endorsements. But you also never know when an injury can put an end to your career. It's a lot better to have 110 million guaranteed than 80.

[erudite23]

A) Baron Davis did not take less money to go to LA. It has been verified by multiple sources that GS was in fact lowballing him during extension talks, and that that was the reason for the last-minute opt out that nobody saw coming, and also the reason why he bolted to LAC. There is no way that he was getting 5yrs/65m from anyone else, let alone more. The dude has been far too injury prone and knuckle-headed to invest 15m+ in him long term. He did not take less money. He lashed out at GS for insulting him by not giving him the money he wanted. The move home was just a nice perk. Some have said that GS didn't even really want him back at all, and that they didn't make a serious effort to retain him.

B) Elton Brand did not move home, either. Really, for anyone to sit here and pretend like they understand wtf went on there is nothing short of crap. That thing was so damn convoluted and confused that I'm not sure Brand himself really knows what went on. We can speculate as to what was the reason for this or that, but we do know that LA tried to lowball him as well, but that they kept upping the ante and matching offers he was getting elsewhere. That's where it gets murky. One side says that LAC did not match the final Philly offer, while the other side says that they were offering him even more. I dunno what to believe, but I'm sure that "I'm taking less money to move home" was not the predominant angle there. He did want to go back to playing in the EC, but its not fair to say that moving back to his roots have anything to do with anything.

C) Boozer has a house in Miami and lives there during the off season. Its not like the dude grew up there and has tons of relatives there. He's a rich, young, handsome guy with a body that most women would die for, of course he likes South Beach. That doesn't mean that he wants to play there that badly. Players spend much of their regular season on the road anyway, and they never really get a chance to settle down and enjoy the scenery. That time comes during the off season. I'm sure that Booz wants to focus on basketball during the season, and going out to parties and hanging out on the beach isn't what gets you in a winning mode.

D) If he really did step out on Cece, and I am starting to believe that this rumor is legit, than there is a great chance he gets a divorce. I have heard a few whispers to that effect around on this board and others. Usually when a guy does something like that, he either a) immediately comes clean and patches things up or b) gets as far away from his woman as possible until the dust settles. We'll see which one it is, but if he does get a divorce, you can bet that he won't be looking to move to wherever his wife is just for the feel good of it.

[wikiJazz]

Even though many teams would love a 20/10 guy I doubt that we can get a solid player on a longer contract back for him. If we trade him because we are afraid of him opting out to go to Miami, wouldn’t other teams have the same fear?

I’m pretty sure the Jazz will roll the dice and let this year play out. There are too many factors to weigh:

1. Boozer will need to prove his worth this year to opt out and chase more money. If he already plans on opting then he needs to play like it is a contract year. That means no fading in the playoffs! It can be a good thing having multiple players playing for new contracts, there is added motivation to win.
2. If the Jazz get even closer to a championship this year, and I think they will, he’ll also think twice before jumping to a worse situation.
3. Millsap might prove to be able to effectively take the reigns. Wishful thinking, but possible.
4. Beasley could show this year that he will quickly be a dominate PF in the league and then Miami would chase other pieces.
5. If Boozer does want the money, and we all think he does, there could still be a chance to do a sign and trade. We offer max money and then get something in return.

I do have to admit however, that seeing AK and Marion’s games paired together would be very entertaining and improve our defense.

[DelaneyRudd]

I think your point about Boozer needing to play his best this year is very poignant.

[The Sheik]

thank you E23.

I think one thing you forgot on the Baron saga was the fact that they would dump him purely for the salary cap relief. With Maggette, Monta and Biedrins making over 10mil, not to mention Jaxx and Al close to 10 as well they would have surely been over the tax threshold if they retained Baron for another season.