Bulls Rumors: If Team Doesn't Reach NBA Finals They Must Amnesty Carlos Boozer

The pressure is on Carlos Boozer big-time.

Though the team won't entertain using the Amnesty clause on him this year, that can't be the sentiment next year if the team doesn't advance further in 2011-2012.

Rip Hamilton is in the fold; he is not the best shooting guard for the Bulls' needs, but certainly a big improvement from last year.

Derrick Rose will be better, his work ethic and maturity are sure to render great results this season. Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are who they are, both very good role players that excel defensively, but they will never be stars.

The biggest key to the success of this year's Bulls team is the play of their slimmed-down and highly compensated power forward. His year started off rough last year. He injured his hand in a fall at home, his season had its peaks and valleys, but it reached its low point in the playoffs.

Boozer seemed to be less than 100 percent, and he played like it.

His points per game dropped from 17.2 to 12.6 in the postseason. Boozer had never seen a drop off like that in the playoffs in any other year in his career except 2007-2008, while with the Jazz. His playoff numbers dipped the same five points that year.

The constant in 2010-2011 and 2007-2008: Boozer was playing hurt.

So we understand Boozer's play suffers dramatically when he's playing hurt. That makes his health and play this season hugely important. If he gets hurt again, or he stays healthy, and the Bulls don't reach the Finals, they have to cut him loose.

With Derrick Rose's extension imminent, the team cannot afford to have such a large chunk of the salary cap committed to a player who can't play an integral part in leading them to a championship. After this season, Boozer will be owed approximately $46 million dollars for the final three years of his deal.

That amount could be used to sign or trade for a younger impact player. Of course, everyone thinks of Dwight Howard when this type of talk arises, and with good reason. He is the best center on the planet, and he and Rose would be a potential dynasty, but he doesn't love the Bulls.

Bulls fans have to face it.

In this unfortunate situation, it would be time to look for another star to accompany Rose into the NBA's elite.

Here are a few players that are scheduled to be restricted free agents next summer. They essentially could send Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver's expiring contracts to a prospective team in a sign and trade for one or two of the following players:

• Kevin Love—He likely will garner something just under a max-contract. He isn't more athletic than Boozer, but he is younger. He extends the Bulls' championship window. Minnesota could let him walk, especially if Derrick Williams has a good-to-great rookie season and proves he can play power forward.
• Eric Gordon—A great option at the 2-guard. Rip will still be under contract for another year. Gordon and Hamilton would make the best shooting guard rotation in the NBA. Rip could win the sixth man award. Gordon will not come cheap as he will lead the rebuilt Hornets in scoring this year, with somewhere close to 23 points per game. I would project it'll take about $11 million per year to get it done.
• O.J. Mayo—Mayo is also a very good option. He would come the cheapest of all. He will not have put up big numbers to command the major salary, though he may be capable of it. About $8.5 million should bring in Mayo.

This scenario would mean Luol Deng, the most talented candidate, would need to work on a post game. Without Boozer, the Bulls would have no low-post scoring threat unless they grab Love, who is still more of a face-up shooter.

It doesn't create the perfect team, but that really doesn't exist. This must be all or nothing for Boozer as it pertains to his time with Chicago.

This isn't to say Boozer is the problem, or he isn't a very good player. Another failure this year just proves this nucleus can't get it done with so much committed to him.

If the team isn't playing in the season's final series, it's time to go in a different direction.