Carlos Boozer to Miami Heating Up

Carlos Boozer has enjoyed an unlikely rise to NBA stardom to say the least. After falling victim to the myth that took form at the turn of the millenium that Duke players couldn't hack it in the NBA, Boozer fell to the second round of the mediocre 2002 draft.

Despite falling in the draft, it quickly became evident that Boozer would join the Elton Brand school of NBA Blue Devils instead of following the footsteps of such Duke draft busts as Trajan Langdon and William Avery.

In his first year in Cleveland, Boozer made the All-Rookie Second team and followed it up with a sophomore effort which saw him put up 15.5 PPG and 11.4 RPG. To this day, the only player to average more PPG than Boozer alongside LeBron James is Zydrunas Ilgauskus, and since his departure from Cleveland, Boozer has established himself as the superior player to Ilgauskus. 

In one of the strangest twists in modern NBA free agency, Boozer became a member of the Utah Jazz in July of 2004. After Cleveland forwent the option to keep him for another year at his rookie salary, they allowed him to become a restricted free agent with intentions of signing him to a longer deal.

Boozer ended up signing an offer sheet with the Utah Jazz that Cleveland was unable to match due to the fact that they were over the salary cap. Despite a string of injuries in his first seasons as a member of the Jazz, Boozer has established himself as one of the best bigmen in the league, enjoying his best season in 2008, when he earned a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. 

However, with the recent emergence of another former second round pick in Paul Millsap, Boozer has been made expendable. While Boozer has been out with his most recent injury, Paul Millsap has averaged near identical numbers to those of Boozer, and is four years younger than Boozer. Millsap's contract expires after the season, and it's unlikely that they'll be able to re-sign both players.

Boozer requested a trade last season, citing his son's illness and a desire to play closer to his family as reasons. His son has since recovered and his demand was rescinded. However, it looks like Boozer still may be on his way out of Utah. The Jazz would be better suited trading him before the deadline than losing him in free agency for nothing, and there are more than a few potential suitors for Boozer's services. 

The most likely destination for Boozer is Miami, where he could moved at the deadline. It looks as Miami will have the cap room to make a run at Boozer in 2010, but if he opts out of his contract this offseason, Miami won't be able to offer him a maximum contract.

One move that makes sense is a swap that includes Shawn Marion and his expiring contract heading to Miami for Boozer. However, due to Marion's disappointing play this year, Miami would likely have to give up more to acquire Boozer. Miami could try to entice the Jazz with adding a young prospect like Daequan Cook and a draft pick to the deal, or perhaps by adding forward Udonis Haslem to the deal and taking on a bad contract from Utah to make salaries match.

Although Miami could wait and try to acquire Boozer through free agency, Riley could easily make a deal as it gives Wade a legitimate second option and makes Miami a contender in the East. The deal also works for Utah, giving them a former All-Star player for a guy who they're likely to lose to free agency.

Instead of testing the free agent waters this offseason, Boozer could also take his player option for next season for over $12 million and elect to become a free agent in the summer of 2010, when an abundance of teams are likely to have cap room to sign a free agent of Boozer's caliber. The Knicks, amongst other teams, are rumored to be interested in his services. Regardless, Boozer seems destined to join the growing list of NBA stars who are changing scenery.