Fan Reactions: Trade For Boozer
by Sebastian Pruiti
Jul 1, 2009 Bobby Simmons, Carlos Boozer, Fan Reactions, Trade Ideas
I have been encouraging you guys to e-mail in questions/comments (well written of course) if you wanted to see them posted here. As of right now, I am posting them as I get them, but if more of you e-mail stuff in, this could be a weekly thing. It’s up to you guys. Anyway here is something from reader Sam S:
Trade idea from loyal netsarescortching reader (Sebastian – his words not mine) Sam S.
Boozer opted not to opt out for the coming year – so he has a one year $12.7mm contract. Bobby Simmons has a one year $11.24mm contract. A straight up trade works for economic purposes (salaries are wthin 25% of each other) and saves Utah $3mm ($1.5mm x 2 due to luxury tax). Boozer also is a toxic presence for Utah since he does not want to be there and they want to keep Milsap. For us, he is a huge upgrade at the 4 and we would presumably have an inside track at resigning him in 2010 if he proves that he is worth a big contract. While it would hurt our 2010 draft tanking strategy, it would show the fans that the team really wants to put the best team on the floor….. What do you think?
OK, before I answer this question I feel like I have to disclose the fact that I am not a big Boozer fan. On paper this works and makes sense, it gives the Jazz a little more cap space and they get to feature Milsap more. For the Nets, getting Boozer fills a gaping hole, and getting rid of Simmons clears up some some space at the SF position (since we do have a ton of players in that spot now). Carlos Boozer is a great player and his game fits our new style perfectly.
As for why I don’t like it, well acquiring Boozer hurts the development of Yi. I know I am in the minority, but I still think Yi can be a solid player for the Nets, but he just needs time. I am also not a big fan of his attitude, he is a selfish player (I formed this opinion through his previous actions regarding his contract) who seems to cause problems in the locker room. With a real young team, I don’t want someone like that in the locker room. Boozer is also very injury prone, and I don’t want to get stuck with paying his contract as he sits on the sidelines in a suit. Now if this deal happens, I won’t jump off the bridge because it would be a solid trade for us, but I wouldn’t be too excited about it.
Thanks for the question Sam. If others would like to chime in, write your response in the comments. And like I said before, if you have a question/comment that you want on the site. E-mail me at sebastian.pruiti@netsarescorching.com
July 1st, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Comment from Dennis
Sorry to email instead of comment to your most recent post about Boozer but my computer was giving me issues in commenting.
I think the one major upside to the Boozer deal that you missed was that if the Nets are not in playoff contention next year, they can use Boozer as a valuable trading chip to a contender. It is hard to say what we will get but one would think it would bring us more help then Simmons could.
Who knows maybe someone would get desperate like Dallas did with Kidd and give a 1st round pick.
Just my two cents.
Dennis
1st Year Nets Season Tix Holder.
July 1st, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Thanks for the comment Dennis
July 1st, 2009 at 5:18 PM
I think that deal would help us out in 2 ways, on and off the court. Off the court would be obviously be, as the previous person mentioned, we could use him as a trading chip to a possible contender or a team that is on the rise and feels that they think Boozer would be that missing link for them. On the court, it would finally address a spot on the team that we have been very inconsistent at since K-Mart left us and would give us another legit post up threat opposite Brook. And if he plays well enough this year for us, then we can look at keeping him long term but if not, he can be gone and we get his contract off our books. Win/Win for us.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:20 PM
BTW, love the blog too man. I can’t really find too many Nets fans outside of the state of Jersey(DC Native here)to discuss Nets Bball with and I love being able to get anything Nets related from here as opposed to going to other sites like ESPN.com or RealGM.com where they have very little info regarding the Nets. Keep up the good work though man because I’ll definitely be checking this out everyday!
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:46 AM
I think if you have the chance to add Carlos Boozer to your team in exchange for Bobby Simmons you do it.
I personally don’t think the Jazz would make this trade though just to save some money.
The idea of featuring Millsap more I don’t think would work either because I don’t think Millsap can play 35+ a night for 82 games.
You saw last year when Boozer was hurt and Millsap was starting, he began getting fatigued and had to miss games due to this. His play also dropped off significantly.
Secondly this would hurt the development of Yi in some ways but I think Lawrence would be creative in how he got Yi minutes. Maybe even going super big with Yi at the 3.
Either way its fun to talk about but the reality is we’re not getting Boozer.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:47 AM
BTW Dennis, if you’re reading where are your seats?
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Good idea, I would throw in Najera too.
I also proposed on the netsdaily site that we trade Yi, Simmons and Hassell plus our 1st round picks in 2011 and 2013 and the GSW pick we got for Marcus Williams for Bosh conditioned on signing Bosh to an extension.
July 8th, 2009 at 12:58 AM
@ Nick – Thanks for the compliment man.
@JustinD – I agree with you, but you have to think they are going to try to get something more than an expiring contract. Maybe another plater? Draft picks?
@mt57 – Thanks for the comment. I don’t think we should make that deal mainly because we are going to have a chance to sign him as a FA, so why give up players and picks for him?