Utah Jazz training camp, part II

September 30, 6:26 PMUtah Jazz ExaminerJeff Lockard

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Carlos Boozer and the Jazz made it very clear over the summer that they were planning to part ways, but that has yet to happen. It's time for everyone to swallow their pride and play nice so that both parties can get what they want. The majority of Jazz fans and some members of the local media want the Jazz to move Boozer at any cost because he doesn't play defense and doesn't want to be in Salt Lake City.

While those two statements are fundamentally correct the Jazz organization needs to maintain a sense of calm. Right now, Boozer is a pawn, Utah's most moveable asset and while bridges may have been burnt over the summer, the Jazz need to get the highest possible return on their investment. At this point that will be difficult, every general manager in the league knows Boozer's situation in Utah is tenuous and that the Jazz want to move in a different direction. The other complication is that Boozer is an unrestricted free agent following the 2009-10 season. If a team is interested in acquiring Boozer, they would have no guarantee he will re-sign with them especially given his track record. He left Cleveland on unfavorable terms and his actions over the past 10 months in Utah would be enough to give any organization second thoughts about Boozer's loyalty and long-term interests.

Ultimately, Jazz fans need to come to terms with Carlos Boozer being on the roster and likely in the starting line-up as the regular season gets underway. The Jazz and Boozer will both benefit from a return to form, in a sense showcasing his talents for potential suitors. Realistically, any negatives affects felt by Boozer being in a Jazz uniform will surface behind closed doors, not on the court. This is a contract year for Boozer and like many professional athletes that alone provides extra incentive to perform at the highest level.

This was an important off-season for Utah’s future. Some of the moves were easy to anticipate, while others went against standard Jazz operating procedure. Some questions were answered, while others most notably the uncertainty surrounding Carlos Boozer remain unsolved. Below are some possible scenarios that could play out involving Boozer and the Jazz. The list is in order from one to six, with one being the most likely to occur.

1. The Utah Jazz trade Boozer and bring back expiring contracts in return, addition by subtraction.

Bobby Simmons is in the final year of his current contract and will make approximately $10,560,000 in 2009-10. A deal with New Jersey for Bobby Simmons would likely be available at any point in the season if Kevin O'Conner shows interest. Simmons is a hard-nosed player who fits into the Jazz system, but has struggled with injuries and does not have the talent that Boozer possesses.

The advantage to a deal like this is three fold. One, Utah is able to rid themselves of Boozer and his potential negative influence on this team. Two, the Jazz will save roughly two million dollars in actual payroll, but with the dollar-per-dollar luxury tax this would be a four million dollar reduction in expenses. Third, Simmons' deal also ends following this season, allowing the Jazz to shed over 10 million dollars off of next year's payroll. This deal makes sense for New Jersey because if they do decide to go in a different direction after next season they can, or if they would like to re-sign Boozer they will be able to do so without it affecting their potential free agent spending next summer.

Al Harrington is in the final year of his current contract and will make approximately $10,025,000 in 2009-10. A deal for Al Harrington works in much the same way as the Bobby Simmons proposal, except the Jazz would be getting a better player in return. The deal with New Jersey seems more likely given David Lee is already producing Boozer-like numbers in New York.

Kenny Thomas $8,555,000 / Desmond Mason $1,900,000 / Donte Greene $870,000 Thomas and Mason are in the final year of their existing contracts. A deal structured similar to the one listed above would provide the Jazz with cap relief next season, but would also bring back a young prospect in return. Donte Greene is not ready to step in and contribute, but he's a player the Jazz could develop and stash for the future. In all likelihood, the Kings will be interested in Kyrylo Fesenko so this deal could involve other players to make the salaries work under the current collective bargaining agreement. However, assuming these players were involved Kenny Thomas and Desmond Mason could step in immediately and provide depth while Greene develops.

2. The Utah Jazz trade Boozer straight up for another player with a longer contract at the 12 million dollar per year range.

Richard Hamilton has four years remaining on his current contract and is due approximately 50 million. He will make roughly $11,625,000 of that total this season. The Pistons were one of the teams who showed interest this summer in Boozer, but decided to go a different direction by signing Charlie Villanueva. Detroit created their own volatile situation by signing Ben Gordon this off-season likely moving veteran Richard Hamilton to the bench. If both Hamilton and Boozer become distractions this deal could get done relatively quickly. It's a riskier deal for the Jazz than the Pistons, since Hamilton has close to 50 million dollars remaining on his contract.

Luol Deng has five years remaining on his current contract and is due approximately 62 million. He will make roughly $10,370,500 of that total this season. Although, Deng's contract is inflated and he’s missed significant time over the past two seasons with injuries, he’s still young enough to produce throughout the duration of his current deal. Plus, the Bulls were one of a handful of teams that Boozer mentioned as a suitable home. Might that be enough to convince Chicago's decision makers to proceed with trade talks?

Mike Dunleavy has two years remaining on his current contract and is due approximately 21 million. He will make roughly $9,780,000 of that total this season. Of the names listed in this section, Dunleavy may be the best fit in Utah. He would come in and immediately make Utah's perimeter offense better, and he only has this year and next remaining on his current contract. That said, he seems the least likely of this group to be moved. There is no reason for Indiana to deal Dunleavy, unless they believe Brandon Rush is ready to step into the starting line-up?

Corey Maggette has four years remaining on his current contract and is due approximately 40 million. He will make roughly $8,936,000 of that total this season. Those Jazz fans who feel Boozer missed too many nights with injuries will certainly not endorse the acquisition Corey Maggette. Maggette is talented and has been on Utah's radar since the Jazz signed him to an offer sheet in 2003 only to have the Los Angeles Clippers match the offer.

The downside of trading for a player like Maggette, Hamilton or Deng is that it would significantly restrict Utah's financial flexibility even after Kirilenko's contract expires.

3. The Utah Jazz send Boozer away, continue to pay him through the season, and use his contract to get back below the luxury tax next season.

Much like the Pacers did with Jamaal Tinsley, Chicago with Tim Thomas and New York did with Stephon Marbury it's not out of the realm of common thought to think this situation could present itself in Utah. If Boozer becomes a big enough distraction during the season, the Jazz may decide to send him away and move forward with the players who want to be in Utah.

4. The Utah Jazz attempt to get a talented young player, while taking on a long-term "bad" contract in return.

While on the surface this sounds like an intriguing option, it could handcuff the Jazz for years to come. Plus, most teams would be hesitant to give up a blossoming young player, given Boozer's unrestricted contract status.

5. The Utah Jazz trade Boozer along with one or both of their 2010 first round picks and bring back a superstar in return.

This sounds great, but deals like this simply don't get done. Plus, as a Jazz fan the potential of having a top five pick in next year's draft is worth getting excited about. Utah has done extremely well selecting inside the top 5 (Darrell Griffith "Dr. Dunkenstein", Dominique Wilkins, Deron Williams).

6. The Utah Jazz play the season with Boozer in the starting line-up and use his expiring contract to get back below the luxury tax next season.

Boozer and the Jazz play nice all season long. The Jazz perform at a high level and win the Northwest Division. While this sounds like the ideal scenario, it's difficult to see the season progressing like that. Boozer and the Jazz will co-exist, but mainly because both sides know a potential trade is on the horizon.

Realistically the Jazz will be a good team for the next two seasons, but won't have the financial flexibility to make significant free agent additions until Andrei Kirilenko is either traded or his contract expires following the 2010-11 season. It would be confusing to see the Jazz take back a long term contract in return, unless they felt that player could contribute at a high level for the duration of his contract. With two first round draft picks in next year's draft the Jazz will have a talented young core by the time Kirilenko's deal end and should be ready to make another run at the elite teams in the Western Conference. The key is to keep the team good enough in the interim so that Deron Williams wants to remain in Utah because he believes the team is committed to winning.