Carlos Boozer To The Chicago Bulls Update

It has been a couple days since the rumor broke about Carlos Boozer possibly being traded in a three-way deal to the Chicago Bulls. But where do we stand now? The trade as rumored is probably completely dead. Usually if these types of trades don't happen right away, they die.

The Utah Jazz still want to trade Boozer and the Bulls still need a low post scorer so they still could be trade partners. However, the Portland Trailblazers will probably be replaced for a trade to go down.

The Bulls were looking to get some guard help in the trade due to losing Ben Gordon and sending Hinrich away in the trade. They were rumored to want Bayless but probably would have been happy with Fernandez to help fill the void created by losing two of their three top guards from last season.

And now with the Trailblazers signing the Jazz's restricted free-agent Paul Millsap to an offer sheet, there is probably some bad blood between the division rivals.

However, what Millsap being signed to an offer sheet does do, is put a clock on a potential Boozer trade. The Jazz have seven days to match the offer, which is supposedly front loaded, or let Millsap go to Portland.

If the Jazz match and keep Boozer they will be well over the luxury tax which is somewhere they don't want to be. Because of that there can't be a straight up trade because it would not save the Jazz money. So a third team must be found.

The only team besides the Blazers that have the cap room to help this trade would be the Thunder who are not looking to spend their money and ruin their cap situation. Lucky for them the Bulls have a lot of expiring contracts which would be very attractive to the Thunder.

On its simplest form a trade of Boozer to the Bulls, Tyrus Thomas to the Jazz and Tim Thomas to the Thunder would work. The Jazz cut cost, the Bulls would get their low post threat and the Thunder get a piece that may help them win some games but more importantly could be a valuable trade chip at the deadline come February.

I'm sure some other pieces (draft picks or cash) would be thrown in but this could work.

The Bulls would be able to keep Hinrich while also getting Boozer which would allow them to keep their backcourt depth.

If I was Gar Foreman, I would have Sam Presti on the phone ASAP.