The Chicago Bulls cannot seem to take a stance on Carlos Boozer. One minute they are invested in him while the next they are toying with the idea of either a trade or amnesty option. One thing is clear, his $16.8 million contract is all-but killing the salary cap for the Bulls. They are in hot pursuit of several top free agents and cannot have that deal on the books anymore, but can Chicago manage to get something in return for their veteran big man?
Trades for Boozer have been hard to come by. The Bulls started dangling Boozer during the mid-season trading period and no one was interested. They attempt to convince the New York Knicks to agree to a sign-and-trade for Boozer that would land Chicago Carmelo Anthony and that was denied. Could the Los Angeles Lakers be the team that agrees to a trade?
According to KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, the Bulls have approached the Lakers about a possible deal involving Boozer and Pau Gasol. NBA sources report that the Bulls are hoping to begin negotiations for a sign-and-trade if they can get a verbal commit from Gasol that he will sign. The Bulls will have to include something like a draft pick in the deal to sweeten it up for the Lakers.
Chicago believes they are the frontrunners for Gasol after his free agent visit. Right now, Anthony is leaning away from the Bulls and towards the Lakers or Knicks, meaning Chicago will make free agents like Gasol their top priority now. The best way to acquire the center is to give up Boozer and create the salary cap space. While the Lakers likely would not want to take on Boozer's giant contract, they need to replace Gasol who is not keen on re-signing with the team if Anthony or LeBron James is not on the roster.
The Lakers will not make a move until they know for sure what Anthony and James are doing. The team will be reluctant to take on the $16.8 million even though Boozer's deal expires at the end of the season. Pair that with Steve Nash's expiring contract and the Lakers will have plenty of space to make moves in 2015 which was the original plan in the first place. With Kevin Love hitting the market, the Lakers are expected to make a run at him.
If this deal fails, the future of Boozer is likely the amnesty clause. Chicago has been keeping that option in their back pocket, just waiting to see if they will be forced to use it. The Bulls are hoping to get something in return, but the end result will still be Boozer in a different uniform come next season.
