The Bulls season is over and now the focus shifts to the off-season. One main discussion this off-season will be what to do with Carlos Boozer?
Should the team just amnesty him and essentially pay some of his salary? That seems to be the popular choice from fans of the team. But a report out by ESPN’s Marc Stein states the Bulls will try to trade the forward before they amnesty him, trying to get something in return for the 32-year-old.
But here’s the thing: You continue to hear rumbles that Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is adamantly against the idea of setting Boozer free via amnesty, even though the 32-year-old is finally poised to enter the final year of his contract, valued in 2014-15 at $16.8 million.
Sources briefed on Chicago’s thinking say the Bulls are going to do everything they can to try to find a trading partner for Boozer before seriously considering the amnesty option.
Chicago will have until July 15th to trade Boozer as the amnesty period ranges from July 10-16. The Bulls will be in play for Carmelo Anthony, who is rumored to want out in New York. It’s doubtful they could work some sort of sign-and-trade with the Knicks that involves Melo. They also have Nikola Mirotic, who they will try to lure over to the NBA from overseas. Boozer averaged 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for the Bulls this season. He was also considered a liability in the fourth-quarter for the Bulls.
No matter what happens, it will be an interesting off-season for the Bulls.