Boozer: odd man out?

[kamazilla]

<<:Captain Obvious preamble:>>

It would seem most believe the summer of '09 will be a season of change for the Jazz; key players having the option to explore free agency, others on the roster previously invested in not seeming to be an ideal fit... and as always, underutilized young players waiting for their their chance under the critical eye of Jerry Sloan. The luxury tax looms, growing more constrictive as the cap lowers while contracts escalate. The Jazz can not afford to bide their at this critical juncture... Over investment in the wrong players now could prove disastrous- and marquee players walking away with no compensation would leave us a mediocre team with few options to improve.

Millsap, Boozer, Okur- all will be free agents demanding long term, expensive contracts. Korver also may opt out of the final year of his contract. Kirilenko is under contract for two more years as one of the most overpaid players in the league according to production. The coming season is Brewer's last under his rookie contract.

<<:end preamble:>>

Scenario 1: Jazz stand pat and pay the tax in order to keep the 4 key front court players in spite of obvious shorcomings in the line-up. Perhaps Koufos will be properly utilized next season and will contribute much needed interior defense. Maybe Fesenko has an epiphany and decides to apply himself to his 'work'. Jazz pay the tax in 2009, trade AK's expiring in February, 2011 and pray the Knicks pick manifests as a basketball savior.

Scenario 2: Jazz see that Kirilenko's contract could be the undoing of the franchise's financial viability, so they strike while the iron is hot and trade him along with draft picks to Golden State for immediate help on the wing and faster cap relief.

Scenario 3: Jazz recognize that while the Boozer/ Okur combo works great offensively, the tradeoff at the other end of the floor costs them enough games that a shake-up is necessary. Boozer has established himself as the kind of low-post threat the Jazz have always valued; they decide he is irreplacable, so he is signed to a huge contract. Okur is involved in a sign and trade which nets the Jazz a defensive center.

Scenario 4: Jazz recognize that while the Boozer/ Okur combo works great offensively, the tradeoff at the other end of the floor costs them enough games that a shake-up is necessary. Boozer has proven to be a defensive liability, a pr nightmare, and extremely injury prone. They deem another long term contract too risky and opt for a sign and trade to Chicago for Hinrich and Thomas.

The way I see things, someone is on their way out this summer. The Jazz can't possibly keep all four high salaried front court players long term and they are too conservative to let more than one go. So, which is the most likely scenario? Of the four, who is the odd man out and why?

[freakazoid]

Dude, obviously Deron is too fat and must go.

I would trade Deron for Rubio.

Booze for Beasly.

AK for Marion.

Korver for 5 dollars in cash.

Millsap for Brewer. ( wait, they're both on our team, right?)

My bad, Sap and Brew for Yao. Rockets throw in 2 first rounders.

[edfmx86]

dude i thought you were serious for a sec

[drivewayball]

Rubio, Beasley and Marion vs. Williams, Boozer and Kirilenko. About $20 million for the first trio next season and about $47 million for the latter trio. I'd take the first group anytime. They could probably outplay Williams, Boozer and Kirilenko anyway. Excellent Suggestion.