Post#19 » by Downtown » Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:38 pm
So what you're suggesting is that they make some sort of trade to get Boozer so the Jazz free up money to match any offers for Milsap?
Now that sounds like a pretty good move to me. But there are some serious factors involved. Since Milsap is a free agent, unless Utah got him signed quickly it could leave Memphis sitting there waiting for the situation to play out since the Jazz probably wouldn't trade Boozer until they had Milsap signed, sealed, and delivered. In the meantime other free agents are being snapped up. Just the time playing the waiting game could end up costing them someone they might like.
But let's play this out. The Grizzlies contact Utah about Boozer so the Jazz do what it takes to re-sign Milsap. Memphis sits on their hands and let's the likes of Lee(maybe to OKC), Villineuva(rumored to Detroit), Davis(Boston could still match but Rasheed Wallace supposedly might be a candidate for them), Bass(it's believed his agent is looking at the MLE so they have a few teams they can choose), Powe(from my understanding Boston is gambling that nobdy else will offer him a contract since his return from knee surgery has spoiled things), Odom(likely back to LA), Varejao(kind of a wildcard since it's hard to say if he'll get the offer he wants), Anderson( I think Denver brings him back) sign wherever.
Now they talk to Utah about trading for Boozer. The Jazz could agree to talk about it. Or they could go into next season with the same team as this past season knowing they only have to pay for Boozer for one year and maybe he's a good asset in a sign and trade situation next summer, like Chris Bosh. It's a big gamble for Memphis.
But there are obviously other options such as trading Gasol for a player on the level of Tyrus Thomas for instance. We've talked about Atlanta's need for a center. But they played Horford there last season so I don't know what incentive they have to swap Horford for Gasol unless the Grizzlies gave them big incentive.
But for arguement's sake let's say Memphis tried to convince Utah that with Milsap being re-signed longterm and high priced it makes no sense for them to keep Boozer. Would the same offer that was made for Zach Randolph be about right for Boozer? Both are about the same production wise. And I would take the huge one year deal over the very large multiyear one of Randolph, especially when next years draft possibly holds at least six or seven really highend power forwards.