(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

I want to welcome everyone to the maiden voyage of the “Doctor Trade” column here on Bleacher Report. I won’t go into any lengthy introductions, as you can find that information on my profile page. 

In today’s first article, I want to start with a hypothetical trade that had some real potential, apparently lost its way, and needs to be revisited by the teams involved. I’ll try to present the background and argument for this trade in a systematic and unbiased fashion; this will hopefully be the norm for proposed deals in the “Doctor Trade” feature. 

As will always be the case, comments and feedback are welcome!

PROPOSED DEAL:

Chicago gets: Carlos Boozer (from Utah)

Utah gets: Tyrus Thomas (from Chicago)

Memphis gets: Jerome James’ expiring contract, enough cash to buy out said contract, and a 2^nd round pick (from Chicago)

BACKGROUND: 

It’s not too often that a team would be visibly unhappy to have their perennial “low-block” 20 and 10 All-Star and Olympian choose not to play the market, and in doing so not up the price on his restricted contract. 

It’s even more odd that when that “under 30” player gets pushed out the door onto the trading block, there really doesn’t seem to be that many takers for him.

Carlos Boozer’s current situation is one of the most obvious examples of the new NBA economy and its tight budgets. Most teams don’t have the extra money to spend on him, and frankly, when you look at many of the league’s current rosters, there are actually quite a few good starting power forwards that have their spots locked down for the next few years.

One still has to ask the question, “How did it come to this in Utah?” Boozer, while being reputed as an injury-prone player (especially early on during his Jazz tenure), has actually been on the floor more often than not during the last three seasons.  When healthy, his numbers speak for themselves, he’s had a good chemistry with All-Star teammate, Deron Williams, and his game seems to fit Jerry Sloan’s offense quite well. 

Why would the Jazz, when it comes to Paul Millsap, be bending over backwards to pay only $2 million less per year for a guy who, while being a fan favorite with his high motor and offensive glass work, has not yet proven himself as a full-time starter?

The answer to those questions is the flip side to the Boozer coin. It is common NBA knowledge that Carlos Boozer has never really portrayed himself as a “team-first” guy.  He’s never been an overtly selfish teammate or irresponsible citizen, yet he’s never shied away from letting everyone know that the NBA is simply a business to him.

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