A Variety of Ways Utah Can Trade Boozer

Just some ways that check out salary-wise that Boozer can go to other teams, that aren't always centered around the Jazz.

No. 1

Chicago receives Carlos Boozer (Utah) and Michael Redd (Milwaukee)

Milwaukee receives Kirk Hinrich (Chicago) and Brad Miller (Chicago)

Utah receives Luke Ridnour (Milwaukee) and Jerome James (Chicago) and a first overall pick in 2010 (Chicago)

Granted, Chicago seeks to benefit the most immediately from this trade receiving two all-stars in Boozer and Hinrich, and the two fill two near open positions on the team, while giving up players that aren't necessary to the structure of the team.

Milwaukee receives an upgrade from Ridnour by getting Hinrich, and Miller will simply be a $12 million expiring 2010 contract on a team that has nearly $20 million to spend that offseason. He wouldn't be a bad fit for the Bucks either. Utah finds a few backup spots to fill the Boozer gap, but could do better.

No. 2

Miami receives Carlos Boozer (Utah)

Golden State receives Daequan Cook (Miami) Kosta Koufos (Utah) James Jones (Miami) and a 2010 pick from Utah

Utah receives Udonis Haslem (Miami) and Stephen Jackson (Golden State)

With this trade Utah obviously gets its value for Boozer in Haslem and Jackson, and Miami gets what it wanted, Carlos Boozer. Golden State might be the odd team out in this deal, but I hear that the team wants to get younger, and this would be a good way to do it.

Any first round pick would be good in a draft class that looks strong next year. Cook is a rising star out of Miami, and Koufos and Jones are two more young players to help the Warriors.

No. 3

Cleveland receives Carlos Boozer and Matt Harpring

Utah receives Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Daniel Gibson and Tarence Kinsey

Hey, neither team really does too bad with this deal. You could make the argument that Cleveland looses Gibson, and that's a key, but they get Boozer. You could say that Z was a key big man, but Boozer can be bigger (not literally in terms of size).

You could say that they were fine, and were first place in the east, but they couldn't defeat the Magic. You could argue that Shaq was enough, but every team made major changes, and the Cavs may need a little extra push.

As for the Jazz, they just need fair value for their beloved Boozer, and they do get it, while cutting over $2.5 million off of the large Utah cap.

No. 4

Dallas receives Carlos Boozer

Utah receives Jason Terry and Jose Juan Barea

A Dallas lineup of C-Nowitzki, PF-Boozer, SF-Marion, SG-Howard, PG-Kidd looks pretty good from a Dallas fan's standpoint. Jason Terry will be another great player for the Jazz to have around, and Barea is young and will be a solid player to have around for the years to come.

This trade does lack Boozer's replacement at backup PF, but again will cut a lot of money off the cap, around $2 million.

No. 5

Chicago receives Carlos Boozer (Utah) and Richard Hamilton (Detroit)

Detroit receives Brad Miller (Chicago)

Utah receives Kirk Hinrich (Chicago)

This is again probably best for the Bulls, but the Jazz get a young combo guard, along with (the biggest of my suggested trades) over a $3 million salary cut. Detroit wants a new-look team, along with a much better true center over Kwame Brown, and Richard Hamilton really doesn't want to come off of the Detroit bench again, and could start in the windy city.

No. 6

Chicago receives Carlos Boozer

Utah receives Jerome James and Tyrus Thomas

The very direct trade to Chicago may end up being the best option for the Jazz. They get the replacement they want in Tyrus Thomas, they cut over $1 million off their salary cap, and they get Jerome James, who will just expire in the very fun 2010 off season. Looks like a pretty good way to do it.