10 Ways the Chicago Bulls Can Solve the Carlos Boozer Problem

Carlos Boozer is a veteran who can be clutch at times, but often fades when it matters. In the playoffs, Boozer averaged 13.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and three assists. However, in the Bulls' last game of the season, Boozer went 1-11. Boozer is still a good player, there's no doubting that, but his price tag is high for his production output.

Considering his previous numbers, it was logical to think he would be a great addition to the fairly young Chicago Bulls. However, he has underperformed, and now, the team is saddled with a hefty contract. For a team that's very close to winning a championship, this is tough to bear, especially considering the salary cap.

Currently, Boozer is owed $50 million over the next three years, according to ESPN. This means something must be done.

Keep Everyone Healthy

While this is much easier said than done, it's clearly something that would help out in the Boozer problem. After losing in the playoffs, Boozer said,

Any time you lose and you don't reach your goal, it makes you more determined. Hopefully, everybody will have a great summer. Obviously, we have a lot of guys who have to get healthy.

We're very dinged up. We're saying our prayers for Derrick as he approaches his upcoming surgery. We'll start the season without him for a few months, most likely, so hopefully, everybody comes back with that hunger. We can hit the ground running and start new.

With a very efficient supporting cast around him, Boozers' inconsistencies will be less glaring. He does make a good effort to play hard in others ways, like get rebounds, when he's got an off night. Hopefully, a healthy team can alleviate his problems.

Trade Boozer

This is a long shot because there are very few teams who would take Boozer. His numbers are good, but it would have to be a team who wanted him for the veteran experience and who also had a very low payroll. A team like Cleveland might take a look at him, but it would still be doubtful.

If the Bulls can unload his contract, they can bring in two players who can easily match Boozer's production.

Amnesty Him

This is a pretty obvious decision. It's also the most likely solution to the problem. For those not familiar with the amnesty clause, it allows a team to unload a contract and the player. The player still gets the money owed him, but it doesn't go towards the team's payroll, saving them from the luxury tax.

By doing this, the Bulls open up a roster spot and save around $50 million. This also allows playing time for any new players they may pick up. 

Renegotiate His Contract

There's absolutely no reason for Boozer to renegotiate a contract, unless he's threatened with amnesty. Boozer has yet to win an NBA championship, and he's got a really good chance to do it with this Bulls team.

If he is a free agent, as the result of amnesty, then he'll get paid but may end up on a team who's rebuilding. This type of team would love his veteran experience, but his career may be nearly over by the time the championship comes around.

If the Bulls can convince Boozer that this is his best chance at winning a championship, and that they are seriously considering amnestying him, then Boozer may be apt to renegotiate his contract. Maybe.

Hire Ron Artest's Psychiatrist

In listening to Boozer's comments after his awful final playoff performance, it's clear the man needs a reality check. Boozer said,

"I thought I played well, especially with the kind of season it was. We had the best record again in basketball, won our division again, had the top seed again, that's all that matters, yo."

Apparently, to him, a record is just as good as a championship. Whoever Ron Artest's psychiatrist is, that person worked wonders on a man who was pretty out of control.

He became a champion and knew who to thank. If, the then-Artest, could be helped, maybe Boozer could get some sense talked into him.

There are no rings for having the best record.

Bring Him off the Bench

While Boozer does come off the bench occasionally, it's not enough to motivate him. As a veteran who likes to get his numbers up, the bench could be a tool.

If he were ousted from the starting lineup, regularly, Boozer would realize that he has to fight his way back into the starting lineup; it isn't something that's just given to him because he's a veteran.

Coach Wooden used to say, “One of the greatest motivating things that a coach has is the bench. They all love to play, all of them. You sit them on the bench, and they come around pretty good.”

Maybe Boozer will work harder to be more consistent if he's benched.

Drop Him to the D-League

If the bench doesn't seem like it will do much good, then surely the D-League will. We saw the effects of this when Lamar Odom was dropped to the Mavericks' D-League team, which he didn't like at all. Make Boozer work on his fundamentals. When he's playing lesser opponents, he'll have the opportunity to hone his skills. This is tough to do when playing at the faster, high-paced NBA level.

If his shooting is inconsistent, let him shoot against lesser defenders until he learns to get it nearly every time. When Boozer shoots well, he's easily one of the best in the NBA. He shot 53 percent in the regular season last year, which was great league-wide. His shooting isn't the problem when he's on; it's that he can't do it consistently.

Coach Thibodeau said of Boozer in the last game of the season, "Didn't play well offensively. Passed well but didn't shoot well. His rebounding was excellent." This is something that can be said of random games throughout the year.

Make Him a Team Captain

Quite the opposite of the previous suggestions to cut Boozer's playing time, is to actually make him a team captain. This could psychologically make him feel more responsible for the team's wins and losses. He'll understand that 1-11 in a critical playoff game just isn't acceptable.

As a captain, he'll be truly filling the veteran role that he was meant to play. 

Take an Expensive Bath

While not an ideal situation, the Bulls can keep Boozer and take an expensive bath. This means they'll continue to utilize him in his current capacity and just pay him the salary he's owed.

Boozer is not an awful player, by any means. His shooting percentage is great, and he isn't one to take frivolous shots. What's not great is that the Bulls never know which Boozer will come out to play night after night.

However, he does often put up numbers that are very valuable to the Bulls. He's a gamble, but it may be worth it to keep him. At least when his shooting is way off, Boozer tries to make up for it in other ways, like rebounding.

Offer Him a Job

OK, this one is a joke, kind of, but who knows, maybe it would work. Boozer could fill in as an assistant coach. His knowledge is too valuable to stick him in an office, but if the Bulls can pay him to help the team out while wearing a suit, it may be a win-win situation for both parties involved.

Boozer can help an already pretty strong team get to the championship, and he'll get a head start on “life after basketball.”