The Los Angeles Lakers have undergone plenty of changes during this season thanks to several season-ending injuries. Losing Steve Nash, Julius Randle and Kobe Bryant for the entire year certainly was not the plan. Heading into the trade market the Lakers could have made moves to help them in the future, but opted to stay put, One surprise was the fact that Carlos Boozer still remains on the roster despite his high salary and low stats. According to the power forward, it will stay that way.
Reports surfaced that Boozer was looking to get released from the Lakers in order to be able to sign with a contending team in time for the postseason. NBA teams have until the end of February to buyout contracts, but Boozer will not be one of them despite his $16.8 million salary this season. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Boozer will stay put on the roster and ride out the remaining two months with the Lakers before hitting free agency once again.
Boozer is currently the highest paid player in the league and yet does not have to put up the stats to back it up. The Lakers are technically only responsible for $3 million of that salary because they picked the forward up after being released from the Bulls via the amnesty clause. That would make the buyout very reasonable for the Lakers, but the team has no intentions of going that route. The forward is only putting up 12.5 points and 7 rebounds this season while getting benched at one point. With the Lakers sitting as one of the worst teams in the league, some believed Boozer could be out regardless, but that will not be the case.
However, Boozer should not expect an extension. Both he and Jeremy Lin will hit the market after their one season is up and the Lakers will move on to bigger names. Goran Dragic is still a top priority with a max contract despite his trade to the Miami Heat. LaMarcus Aldridge will be a popular pick along with Greg Monroe. The team is also expected to at least research the interest of Kevin Love leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for free agency. With Bryant likely having one more year left, the need to get big talent is high.