NBA Free Agency 2014: Chicago Bulls to amnesty Carlos Boozer
It’s finally happening.
After four years of flagrant yelling and thunderous cursing on national television, matador defense, mid-range jump shots, and pastel hair cuts, the Chicago Bulls are finally amnestying power forward Carlos Boozer.
This has been a move many have longed for Chicago’s front office to make since Year 3 of this relationship. The first two seasons were solid as the Bulls jumped to the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, but with Derrick Rose being injury in Years 3 and 4, Boozer was needed to help maintain the little offense Chicago could create on that end.
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But it was the recent additions to the roster that finally made Carlos Boozer expendable. Dating back to last month, the Bulls have added Doug McDermott (draft), Pau Gasol (free agency) and Nikola Mirotic (overseas) to the roster, all three players capable of running the power forward. Once you factor in their ability to score points–Boozer’s biggest strength–there was little reason for the Bulls for Boozer to remain on the roster.
The last blow would be the Bulls’ owners reluctance to pay the luxury tax. While the Bulls will stay pay Boozer the $16.8 million he’s owed this season, the amnesty clause allows the franchise to remove Boozer’s contract off the salary cap, allowing Chicago to skirt further away from paying the luxury tax.
Due to the amnesty process, teams will have a chance to bid for Boozer’s services before he hits free agency.
"NBA runs blind bidding process on amnesty cases. High-bid wins. Bid $2M on Boozer, pay him $2M. Must be under cap to fi"
According to several reports, the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Laker may be interested in the two-time All-Star.
In four seasons with the Bulls, Boozer averaged 15.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.