Boozer: "I'm Opting Out"

[Bankshot]

Forward Carlos Boozer confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday that it is a certainty that he will be opting out of his contract with the Utah Jazz once the season is over.

"I'm opting out. No matter what, I'm going to get a raise regardless," Boozer told ESPN.com. "I am going to opt out, I don't see why I wouldn't, I think it's a very good business decision for me and my family, but I'd also like to see what happens with the Jazz and stay here."

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/56059/20081218/boozer_im_opting_out/

[cordobes]

Obviously.

I'm thrilled to see what will happen with the Jazz PF situation, with Millsap and Boozer looking for new contracts.

I think they'd be crazy to trade anyone before the end of the season, but will they risk losing players for nothing?

[Birdbrain]

Look for Utah to trade him around the deadline.  They don't need him anyway.  Millsap is less injured Carlos Boozer.

[Bankshot]

That Boozer revealed that he was going to opt out, wouldn't it be difficult for Utah to get anything of value for him?  What team would give up equal or close to equal value for Boozer, knowing he will opt out at the end of the season?

[yall hate]

Boozer comes across sounding like a jerk ("No matter what, I'm going to get a raise regardless"), although that could be because he is one.

I would expect the Jazz to let go of Boozer and resign Millsap.

Or the possibility of trade, even if they dont get equal value, it is more then what they will get if he walks at the end of the year.  and they can still get pretty good value for him from a team which thinks that he might make the difference this year.

[JBcat]

Can't a team offer a big extension in a trade now which what happened with KG and the Celts?  

[Birdbrain]

That Boozer revealed that he was going to opt out, wouldn't it be difficult for Utah to get anything of value for him?  What team would give up equal or close to equal value for Boozer, knowing he will opt out at the end of the season?

No they won't get equal value but, they'll get something.

[Redz]

Boozer comes across sounding like a jerk ("No matter what, I'm going to get a raise regardless"), although that could be because he is one.

Much like he came across sounding like a jerk with his contract situation in Cleveland.

I just wish he'd heal up and play some flippin' games (he got hurt 2 days after I traded for him on my roto team  )

It will be interesting to see how Utah handles the Millsap/Boozer deals.

[cordobes]

What's wrong with what Boozer said? He's right, he's underpaid, he's going to get a raise. I think that pulling a Brand would be much worse.

I like Millsap, but he's nowhere close to Boozer offensively. Carlos is, IMO, one the bests screener/cutters in the history of the game, from a fundamentals perspective. If he was as good on the other side of the floor, he'd be up there near Duncan. 

Can't a team offer a big extension in a trade now which what happened with KG and the Celts?  

No, it's not possible to offer extensions now.

That Boozer revealed that he was going to opt out, wouldn't it be difficult for Utah to get anything of value for him?  What team would give up equal or close to equal value for Boozer, knowing he will opt out at the end of the season?

Yes, that's why they shouldn't trade him, from my perspective. I doubt they can make the finals with their defense, but with a Boozer/Millsap and some luck with the play-offs matchups they always have a chance.

[bdm860]

Boozer comes across sounding like a jerk ("No matter what, I'm going to get a raise regardless"), although that could be because he is one.

Much like he came across sounding like a jerk with his contract situation in Cleveland.

No doubt Boozer comes off as a jerk, but my buddy who has season Jazz tickets tells me the oppossite.  He's met all the players at multiple meet and greats over the last couple of years.  He asked who I thought would be a jerk and who I thought would be cool.  He said anybody you thought was a jerk actually came off like the nicest guys in the world. Boozer and Kirilenko were the first 2 people I mentioned and he said they were super nice and real cool.  He said Deron Williams is the only guy that continually comes off as a jerk. 

He did meet Derek Fisher too while he was with the Jazz, and said he came off like the fans were really bothering him and he had better things to do, but did say he only met him once and who knows he may have been having a bad day.  I just mention that to show my buddy wouldn't jump to conclusions after one meeting and understands every one is human.  Just thought it might give a little validity to his statements.

[Redz]

Boozer comes across sounding like a jerk ("No matter what, I'm going to get a raise regardless"), although that could be because he is one.

Much like he came across sounding like a jerk with his contract situation in Cleveland.

No doubt Boozer comes off as a jerk, but my buddy who has season Jazz tickets tells me the oppossite.  He's met all the players at multiple meet and greats over the last couple of years.  He asked who I thought would be a jerk and who I thought would be cool.  He said anybody you thought was a jerk actually came off like the nicest guys in the world. Boozer and Kirilenko were the first 2 people I mentioned and he said they were super nice and real cool.  He said Deron Williams is the only guy that continually comes off as a jerk. 

He did meet Derek Fisher too while he was with the Jazz, and said he came off like the fans were really bothering him and he had better things to do, but did say he only met him once and who knows he may have been having a bad day.  I just mention that to show my buddy wouldn't jump to conclusions after one meeting and understands every one is human.  Just thought it might give a little validity to his statements.

I saw a pretty amazing story about what Boozer, his wife, and kids have had two go through with his kids.  I'll try to find a link on it.

He does indeed seem like a good guy, but the quote with the contracts seems like it was probably best left unsaid.  Then again a reporter probably asked him directly about it. 

[Redz]

Here...It's a pretty amazing story.  This is the condensed version:

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=294&sid=2059857

[Birdbrain]

Here...It's a pretty amazing story.  This is the condensed version:

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=294&sid=2059857

Thanks for the link.  I had never heard that story.  I can't imagine my kid having to deal with that type of pain.

[Scribbles]

While they way he came out and said that he'd be opting out and getting a raise makes him seem like a jerk, really he's just being honest.  He is underpaid for a player of his caliber.  I mean he's telling the Jazz I'm going to opt out, either pay me what I deserve, or I'll find someone that will.  Its better than Elton Brand saying he'd sign with the Clippers then bolt a few days later for a higher pay check.

[indeedproceed]

Why is anyone surprised by this? Boozer turned one really good year into six years, 70 million. He's now had 3 straight relatively healthy 20 and 10 seasons. Seems to me he's due somewhere around six years, 90 million or so. Maybe more.