On Tuesday, the Chicago Bulls made a move many have been expecting them to make for some time. They announced they would be waiving veteran power forward Carlos Boozer via the amnesty clause.
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The Bulls signed Boozer back in 2010 after LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh teamed up with the Miami Heat. Much like the summer of 2010, the Bulls had big plans this offseason, targeting Carmelo Anthony. After he re-signed with the New York Knicks, the Bulls signed Los Angeles Lakers’ big man Pau Gasol to a three-year, $22 million deal. They also struck a deal to sign Real Madrid forward Nikola Mirotić to a contract worth $17 million over three years.
Teams under the salary cap can now big on the chance to land Boozer.
The Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz have enough money to bid on Boozer. The Hawks and Hornets have been proclaimed as the favorites to land Boozer.
Eric Pincus of The Los Angeles Times and Basketball Insiders confirmed the Hawks are officially under the cap and therefore can put in a claim for Boozer.
Boozer would reportedly prefer to play for the Miami Heat and the Houston Rockets are also expected to show interest after missing out in free agency.
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.