Boozer has failed to fulfil expectations during his stint in Chicago…
The Chicago Bulls will reportedly try to trade forward Carlos Boozer prior to considering the possibility of using the amnesty option on him.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is against the idea of setting Boozer free via amnesty and ultimately they will look to explore all their possible options in the trade market first.
The 32-year-old is finally set to enter the final year of his contract, which is valued at $16.8m for the 2014-15 season, and it appears to be only a matter of time before the Bulls part company with him.
However, Chicago has until July 15 to craft a deal that finds him a new home, and not only has he lost out to Taj Gibson for the majority of this season, but the Bulls are also expected to make a significant run at New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony.
The 29-year-old has previously revealed that his preference would be to stay in New York, but essentially he doesn’t want to wait to win, and that may be enough to persuade him to look elsewhere.
While the Bulls would have to make significant moves to clear the necessary space to acquire Anthony, the first step would be to shed Boozer’s contract, and ideally they would prefer to find a trade deal for him.
By amnestying Boozer, the Bulls would essentially be paying his salary for next year and spending that freed money on a replacement. In other words, they would be paying double for one roster slot, which would invariably make them consider keeping him on.
However, such is the disappointment with his production and overall influence on the team, it is reported that Chicago could add a sweetener in a trade deal, for example a draft pick, or use him in a sign-and-trade deal with the Knicks.
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