<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Orlando, Fla.- The Cavaliers' roll of the dice on Carlos Boozer could cost them. Last week, the Cavs did not pick up Boozer's contract option for next season, making Boozer a restricted free agent. The move was made so the Cavs could sign Boozer to a long-term contract. The final year of Boozer's deal was worth close to $700,000. Following this past season, Boozer said he planned to sign a long-term deal with the Cavs. Now those plans might change. According to several league sources, the Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets are interested in Boozer. Sources said Boozer will entertain offers. "He's in an interesting situation," Denver General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe told the Denver Post on Tuesday. "Not dissimilar to what Gilbert Arenas was in. You definitely have to take a look at him. He's one of the league leaders in rebounds. He plays hard every night." Because he was a second-round pick, the most the Cavs can offer Boozer is the mid-level exception, which will be close to $5 million next season, and the contract can be as long as six years. So Boozer could bolt if another team offers him more. Arenas was in a similar situation two years ago. He was a second-round pick of the Golden State Warriors and they couldn't offer him more than the mid-level exception. Arenas went on to sign a 6-year deal worth $65 million with the Washington Wizards.</div> <font size="1">From HoopsHype rumours page, courtesy of Branson Wright and the Cleveland Plain Dealer.</font> Very intriguing developments in line here. Obviously Cleveland are still the favourites, but it will be very interesting to see what happens if Denver offer him a deal similar to Gilbert Arenas, particularly if K-Mart stays in NJ. Loyalty is one thing and there's no doubt Carlos seems like a great guy with tonnes of it, but money still talks. Watch this space Cavs fans.
Utah will be making a run for him. To tell you honestly, I don't see him in a Cavs jersey for long. It was a great move by Cavs up to this point. Now it might blow right into their faces.
i have to admit i'm getting very nervous about this... part of me says, hey i know carlos, he would never bolt cleveland just for money then the other part of me reminds myself that money is money, and it's happened to cleveland many times before... damn
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Loyalty is one thing and there's no doubt Carlos seems like a great guy with tonnes of it, but money still talks.</div> Exactly, and several other teams have the money to turn him away from the Cavs. Sources have indicated that Kenyon Martin is on the top of Carmelo Anthony's list, so I believe it could boil down to either Boozer or Martin. Although the Nuggets have the cap space to offer Martin a max, they could easily offer Boozer a healthy contract as well. However with both of them playing PF, what about Nene?
The Jazz are in talks with Boozer and are set to offer him 68 million over 6 years. If he takes it, Cleveland will not be able to match.
I still think that Boozer has a verbal agreement with the Cavs or other-wise the Cavs would have picked up his option.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Amherstcavsfan:</div><div class="quote_post">I still think that Boozer has a verbal agreement with the Cavs or other-wise the Cavs would have picked up his option.</div> If there was a verbal agreement he wouldn't even consider talking to any other teams. He should screw loyalty and get paid. Why would someone pass up 68 million for 40 million? If Boozer does go to Utah, Paxson should be fired.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ice:</div><div class="quote_post">Exactly, and several other teams have the money to turn him away from the Cavs. Sources have indicated that Kenyon Martin is on the top of Carmelo Anthony's list, so I believe it could boil down to either Boozer or Martin. Although the Nuggets have the cap space to offer Martin a max, they could easily offer Boozer a healthy contract as well. However with both of them playing PF, what about Nene?</div> As I said in a thread in the Nuggets forum, Nene has the height and the weight to take some of the Center duties when Camby needs a break, or be a backup PF. Nene seems like the kind of guy that isnt stubborn and will take a backseat to players he knows are better than him. BTW, happy 17th B-day Ice.
Cavs will offer him a player option after two seasons, and increase him then. Otherwise, they would not have taken such a risk as to release him from his contract.
DA just on ESPN Carlos Boozer and the Jazz have agreed to a 6 year, 68 million contract When he signs the offer sheet, the Cavs will have 15 days to match which likely will not happen.
I'm sorry Cav's fans but that Dynasty will have to wait a few years (if not many). IF this deal pans out Cleveland will have a huge hole inside. Z can't hold it down all by himself and I doubt Diop can fill the void that Carlos has left. Damn, this is almost as bad as Tracy leaving Toronto.
Wow, so now what is the market value for Rasheed Wallace, Kenyon Martin and to a lesser extend Eric Dampier. I like Boozer, but he's a distant fourth. We gotta be talking Max contracts for the other three.
Hah! I told you so! Big blow to the Cavs. They can resign him if they trade some players to clear up some cap space. But I don't see that happening.
