Boozer to Bulls

I'm proud of the Jazz for their unwillingness to overpay for Carlos Boozer. Although this likely means the franchise will take a step back for the next couple of years; it is the best long-term decision for the franchise and will it much more competitive in the long run. The Jazz are definitely a better team with Boozer right now but that won't be the case a few years from now.

The decision helps the Jazz get out from under the financial mess they're currently in. It didn't make sense for the franchise to be paying the luxury tax for a team that didn't have a chance of winning a championship. It will allow the team to be a player in the free-agent market once Kirlenko's contract comes off the books next year.

Boozer is likely at the peak of his prime right now. He may have 2-3 more years of great basketball in him. However, he'll likely start declining drastically in the last few years of his new deal and will become a financial liability. He's an undersized power forward in the league that relies on his quickness that he likely won't have in a few more years.

Boozer missed close to 30% of his games with the Jazz. Although I'm not one that felt Boozer sat out unnecessarily, it will be interesting to see how many games he plays this next year now that he has a guaranteed five year deal and doesn't have the contract year to use as motivation.

The downside is the Jazz could very well be in a world of hurt in the front court this coming season and will likely lead to the organization taking a major step back this coming year. Millsap will move into Boozer's starting role but who will move into Millsap's role? The thought of Kosta Koufus taking that spot is a bit depressing. Okur will also be out for the first half of the season so the center spot will be more handicapped than it already is. Nonetheless, I'd rather sacrifice this next season than over-pay for Boozer and tie the organization's hands the next 5 years.