Carlos Boozer has been under constant suspicion since his arrival in Utah. After renegging on a wink-wink deal with Cleveland, he bolted to the Jazz for the money. Now everyone knows he's going to opt out of his deal this summer. It'd be financially unsound not to. He'll draw max money offers and he's likely to be the best free agent in the 2009 market.
Owner Larry H. Miller overreacted by calling it one of the dumbest 10 things he's heard any NBA player say in 20 years, when Boozer semi-concurred he would indeed opt out this summer. There are 76 media members for every NBA player, so there's always going to be constant contract questions. it gives a day or two of distraction to mull it over when a player dares confirm he might actually do what everyone expects him to do.
The problem for Boozer is two-fold. First Miller revealed that at one point, Boozer asked to be traded to a lower-altitude city nearer his Miami home. The other problem is this lingering injury he has. Last time Boozer had a lingering injury, a high hamstring, it kept him out for half the season, much longer than anyone thought a hammy should sideline someone. Now his quad injury keeps having his return date pushed back. Out for 2 weeks, out for 4 weeks. A third MRI scheduled because no one knows what's going on.
The Jazz have been riddled with injuries, and this should have been their year to really come together and build off last year's success, as the roster is pretty much intact. Many teammates have the option of opting out. Half the roster could be free agents this summer. Success breeds re-signings.
Now it looks like it's not just a given that Boozer will opt out, but every week it's more of a given he'll bolt for another town. Especially if he takes the rest of this year to rest his quad so he can give his new team his healthy self. Just when Stockton-Malone II was established, the Malone half wants to leave.
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