Chicago Bulls rumors: One week to amnesty Carlos Boozer
By Bryan Rose
One way or the other, there’s a very good chance Carlos Boozer has played his final game as a member of the Chicago Bulls. Yes, the team could opt to keep him on their roster for the upcoming season in hopes of having an additional trade piece but that doesn’t seem to be their intention at this current moment.
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The Chicago Bulls have been pushing to trade Carlos Boozer for quite some time and are said to desire Pau Gasol in a sign-and-trade scenario with Boozer being shipped to the Los Angeles Lakers. Such a trade seems rather unlikely as it’s not overly beneficial for the Lakers who’d be absorbing the $17 million dollar contract of the veteran power forward.
Wanting to wash their hands of it as well, the Bulls have one week to cut Boozer using the NBA’s amnesty clause, this according to Aggrey Sam.
"…the Bulls have always been more focused on trading Boozer, who is entering the final year of his contract worth nearly $17 million and although he has been informed that either option could occur, it’s likely that the organization continues exploring trade options through July 16, the final day the veteran can be amnestied."
Understandably the Chicago Bulls would simply prefer not to pay Carlos Boozer any longer, but unless they’re able to find a willing trade partner they’re going to be stuck doing so. If they do use the amnesty clause on him, his contract will be removed from their salary cap however he will still be owned the remaining money on his deal by the organization.