http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8...arlos-boozer-andrea-bargnani-swap-sources-say The Booz is owed $47-million on his three year deal, only about $8-million of which has been paid by the Bulls thus far. Boozer has been relatively healthy for the last two seasons but still misses about 25% of every season on average. He's 31. Boozer is averaging 16/10 this season.
Boozer's missed (I think) 1 game in the past 2+ seasons. He broke his hand punching a wall when he first joined the Bulls, before he played a game. After he recovered, he played 59 of 59 games. Next season he played al 66. This season, I think he rested 1 game with a tight hamstring. He's also played quite a few games of 40+ minutes recently. I'd rather the Bulls use the amnesty clause on Boozer, or scrape my nutsack with a rusty spoon, than trade for Bargs. Sorry.
I think this could be a good trade for the raptors, too bad if this does happen and has an effect on the team that its too late in the season. The only thing there doing is getting a worse spot in the lottery BUT I do still appreciate the trade. Always enjoyed watching Boozer play. Also if this does happen and you want to purchase a raptors jersey you have the choice of having GAY or BOOZER written across your back in big letters.
and stealing this comment from someone on sportsnet new site, "give them bargs but only if they give us boozer and chuck swirsky" too true, too true.
I don't understand why the Bulls would do this. But I also thought there was no way in hell Memphis would trade Gay so what do I know. This is a good trade for the Raptors. While a bad defender, Boozer is a great low post threat and solid rebounder. His contract ends the same time as Gay and is only for two years. This season is kind off lost but it would definitely make us a contender for home court next season. From the Bulls side, I suppose its just a money saving move, although if a team can hide Boozer defensively, it can certainly hide Bargnani. Deng and Noah make up for his terrible rebounding as well. Still think its too good for us.
The arguments I've seen from Bulls pundits are that they are probably going to amnesty Boozer anyway and getting Bargs helps them out without pushing the luxury tax limit; that it creates space in the lane for Derrick Rose to prevent him from constantly crashing into big men and getting injured; that he is a better fit for the team with Noah on the block and his shooting stretches the defence; that Taj Gibson is their PF of the future and getting Boozer out of the way (Bargs can play 5) gives him room to grow; and that Coach T could get more out of him than the Raptors staff have been able to. Dunno if any of those statements hold water. As for the lottery pick we're not bad enough to keep it (top-3 protected) and not good enough to keep it (non-lottery protected). So if we finish anywhere from 4 to 14 we lose it to OKC via Houston from the Lowry trade, which we will. Which is fine by me since we're looking at Wiggins entering the draft next year.
I'd love Boozer on this team ..he would add grit and a toughness that would help this team tremendously. DO IT BC!
Bargnani is not going to prevent rose from facing all 5 defenders every play. I am not sure I'd spend much energy guarding Bargnani. Let him shoot, with his .400 FG%. If he beats you, you suck. Taj is 29 next season. Not much of a future, just cheaper. I seriously doubt Thibs would even play Bargs much. It's hard to say if the Bulls would pay Boozer to play for some other team. Amnesty improves profitability. Probably trading for Bargs gets them a little more profit. Profit first. Basketball doesn't matter so much.
Well it seems now that the story has had time to settle that it was actually the Bulls who proposed the deal and the Raptors, after tinkering with the thought of swapping Robinson for Lucas III, decided to pass on the deal--Boozer's contract being the sticking point. I'm guessing the story got released in order for the Raptors to try and prove to other teams that Bargnani isn't going to be dealt for driftwood. Or, to get some kind of leverage in talks with Minnesota. Apparently Colangelo covets AK47 and/or Derrick Williams but is especially interested in Luke Ridnour (the want for a "pure" PG is something that keeps coming up).
