NBA Rumors: Carlos Boozer wants to play for Miami Heat
The Chicago Bulls parting ways with veteran power forward Carlos Boozer has seemingly been inevitable for some time.
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Back in 2010, the Bulls courted all of the league’s top free agents with Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh among them. However, once those three decided to team up in Miami with the Heat, the Bulls had to turn their attention elsewhere and they signed Boozer to a giant contract. Although they had high hopes, it was still believed Boozer’s offense could mesh with Derrick Rose and a top-tier defense to make the Bulls into contenders. At first, things worked out very well. The Bulls finished the 2010-2011 season with a record of 62-20, the best mark in the league. They then took down the then up-and-coming Indiana Pacers in five games in the first round of the playoffs before defeating the Atlanta Hawks in six games to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. There, they offered little resistance. After winning game 1, the Bulls lost the next four games and the Heat advanced to the NBA Finals.
The Bulls are now expected to waive Boozer via the amnesty clause because they have not found a trade partner. They need to make room for the newly acquired Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotić. Once he is waived, Boozer can be claimed by a team with cap space. If he isn’t claimed, he will be free to sign with whoever he wants. Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders has “no sense of who would put cap space into Boozer as an amnesty bid… if he clears he’ll be in Miami.”
Boozer would obviously be a welcome addition for a Heat team that is still trying to contend.
Boozer, 32, averaged 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 45.6% from the field and 76.7% from the free throw line last season.