Trade Carlos Boozer

I've been a supporter of Carlos Boozer. I was one of many who thought he sat out more games than he needed to when he pulled his hamstring his first year here, when the Jazz went 26-56 (the only losing season of Jerry Sloan's 21 years of coaching Utah). But when Booze came back and helped the Jazz get to 41-41 and then the next year get to the Western Conference Finals, I was on board.

When Boozer got injured again this year, many Jazz fans were saying he's a bum, get rid of him. He had to have surgery to get his knee fixed, but still many people thought he was dogging it. I would argue you're not dogging it when you have surgery, but still the Jazz were able to stay afloat. And then he came back and the chemistry fizzled, and the Jazz plummeted to eighth place and had a quick first-round exit to the eventual NBA Champs.

Even a week ago I was saying, give this lineup a chance. But it's all becoming clear what Boozer's doing.

Why would Carlos Boozer opt in when he's been saying for months he's going to opt out? Easy. His agent felt around in the market and saw no one was going to offer a max-deal to a guy who missed most of two of his past four seasons. So he opted in. He tried to get an extension with the Jazz, but they didn't give it to him. Now he's trying to force a trade. He won't go on any TV or radio show in Utah, but he's been heard everywhere from Chciago to D.C. that he's going to be traded "any second now."

In truth, everything I'm reading from the Jazz side of things says nothing is imminent. Boozer wants to be traded, and by spouting off daily, he's weakening the Jazz's position on what they can get back for him. And why wouldn't he? It means whatever team he goes to won't have to lose as many pieces to get him. He even said new Yortk is one place the Jazz might trade him to, even though he knows there's not a chance in hell the Jazz would do that, as they own the 2010 New York first-round pick.

Many teams would and should jump at the chance to get him. His two healthy Jazz years resulted in him going to the All-Star game. He's an Olympic gold-medalist. When healthy, he's a 21-point, 11-rebound guy. Most importantly, there's only one year left on his deal.

But he's burning his bridge in Utah. It's clear from the comments of his Jazz teammates that most of them would like to have him just go away, including Deron Williams.

So what or who should the Jazz go for?

Right now the rumor is a three-way deal with Miami and Memphis that would send Boozer to Miami while the Jazz get back Udonis Haslem. Haslem's a decent piece to a team, but my hope is that if the Heat are going for Odom and Boozer, the Jazz can get Miami to trade for Michael Beasley and Mark Blount.

Other possibilites (that do work out cap-trade-wise):

-Orlando - Boozer for Marcin Gortat & Mickael Pietrus.

-Chicago - Boozer for John Salmons & Tyrus Thomas.

-Atlanta - Boozer & CJ Miles for Joe Johnson & Mario West.

-Charlotte - Boozer & CJ Miles for Boris Diaw & Raja Bell.

-Dallas - Boozer for Josh Howard.

-Golden State - Boozer for Corey Maggette & Kelenna Azubiuke.