Boozer & Harpring are being shopped

[Diabeticwonder]

http://www.probasketballnews.com/exclusive_jazz.html

NBA GM: Jazz put Harpring, Boozer on block



By Sam Amico

August 8, 2005



An NBA general manager familiar with the situation told ProBasketballNews.com late Sunday that the Utah Jazz have made swingman Matt Harpring and forward Carlos Boozer available for a possible trade.



The GM, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Jazz could deal Harpring and Boozer in separate deals, or ship them together as a package.



Atlanta, Boston, and Dallas are the three teams that have expressed the most interest, according to the source.



"It's no secret that (Jazz owner) Larry Miller was unhappy with Boozer, and from all indications, Boozer is unhappy in Utah," said the GM. "As for Harpring, everybody associated with the Jazz likes him ... it's just the matter of having to give up something to get something in return."



The GM was not specific about players who Utah might receive in a deal, "Although from what I hear, (Atlanta forward) Al Harrington's name is being mentioned," he said. "But with the current ownership mess in Atlanta, Utah may turn to somebody else."



Boozer averaged team-highs of 17.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game last season, his first in Utah after signing what turned into a controversial free-agent contract following two years in Cleveland.



But injuries limited Boozer to just 51 games in 2004-05, prompting Miller to publicly criticize Boozer's effort -- and question the Jazz's decision to sign him.



Harpring averaged 14.0 points in 78 games, his lowest output since arriving in Utah before the start of the '02-03 season. He also shot a career-low 21 percent on 3-pointers.



The Jazz finished 26-56 and in last place in the Northwest Division last year, missing the playoffs. They have already made a couple of trades this summer, sending center Curtis Borchardt to Boston, Raul Lopez to Memphis, and Kirk Snyder to New Orleans, and bringing in Greg Ostertag from Sacramento.



"It would be surprising, shocking even, if getting Ostertag was the only move they made before the start of training camp," the GM said. "In fact, this isn't something they're going about secretly. It's known league-wide that Miller wants to make some more moves and get back into the playoff chase.

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Boozer and Harpring are both names that have been mentioned to me, as far as guys they are wanting to trade."
[/font]

 

[Rowdyone]

Brian, Corliss and Kenny would bring them both here but probably not enough for Utah...may have to throw in Martin or Garcia. I have to ponder this one a spell.....

 

[sloter]

I wouldn't mind if we threw in Martin, but I'd like to see Garcia get a chance in the Kings uniform first.

 

[captain bill]

Brian, Corliss and Kenny would bring them both here but probably not enough for Utah...may have to throw in Martin or Garcia. I have to ponder this one a spell.....

If they can get a package from Atlanta that includes Harrington, I'd imagine that they would take that first. But maybe Harrington's value is lower than one might assume, since he seems to underachieve and is unable to win. Also I wouldn't know that Atlanta really offered him, "name being thrown around" doesn't tell much. I'm not sure what Boston and Dallas really has to offer. Dallas seems to have reduced itself to core players. Maybe trading Finley? Boston could trade Pierce, but I'm not sure about that. If we could get Boozer and Harpring both, I wouldn't mind trading Peja to aquire them...

(scampers off to trade thread and realgm trade checker)

 

[bye_bye_bjax24]

Harpring and Boozer would be tremendous additions....just what we need. Two hard nosed players. Harpring is a bit underrated in my opinion, he really competes, and plays team ball, and Boozer has a bad rep for stiffing Cleveland, so maybe they are ripe for the picking/stealing? If the Jazz will take back 'Tag, sticking them with role players like Skinner Big Nasty and KT may not be too far fetched. Toss in a #1 pick if it makes them happy.

A back-up 3 and a starting 4 are just what we need. C'mon GP....make it happen.

 

[Bballkingsrock]

I think the Kings should look in Harping more than Boozer since he costs to much. Harping is anotehr defender and very strong. He can at the same time shoot some jumpers. A nice back-up for Peja.

 

[bye_bye_bjax24]

Carlos Boozer -- Has 5 years left on deal over 55 million dollars.
$11,593,816
$11,593,816
$11,593,816
$11,593,817
$12,657,233
--------
Matt Harpring 1 year left on deal @ 4.5
$4,545,000

Any trade for Boozer would have to include Kenny Thomas to unload the 36.5 million he is scheduled to make the next 5 years. I dont know if Boozer is worthy of becoming our 2nd highest paid player and raking in this kind of dough. His stats are decent but I have not seen enough of him to offer an honest assessment.

Kenny Thomas
$6,109,375
$6,720,312
$7,331,250
$7,942,187
$8,553,125

 

[Bricklayer]

And you thought it was by accident that I included those two in my recent meag-three way to get KG (and Harpring).

Not as high on Boozer as I was two years ago. Better than what we've got to be sure, but defensively has been exposed, seems to have developed an attitude, and once he came West to battle the big boys his rebounding tailed off too. I'd feel better about him if the rest of our lineup was constructed differently, and you get the feeling he might able to run our stuff, but even so, that's a BIG contract.

Have always liked Harpring -- good combination of toughness and skill. If we could somehow get him without giving up anything significant, I would be quite happy with a Bonzi/Peja/Harping 2/3 trio with Harpring off the bench as a strong 6th man who can play both positions.

 

[captain bill]

I posted this on the trade thread, but here it is: Kenny Thomas and Peja for Boozer and Harpring. Boozer is a big upgrade, he can score, rebound, defend, and I think he fits the system. Utah goes for it because Kenny is alright and they want to be rid of Boozer and KT is a decent replacement. Peja is a big talent over Harpring and an expiring contract to boot. For us, Harpring can still score, and we will still have a good offensive system around him, so I wouldn't worry about the loss from Peja. He's an upgrade in every other regard. He defends well and he rebounds. This trade instantly makes us a tough defensive team and still a force on offense, and gives us a new PF to try to plug in. I like it a lot.

 

[captain bill]

And you thought it was by accident that I included those two in my recent meag-three way to get KG (and Harpring).

Not as high on Boozer as I was two years ago. Better than what we've got to be sure, but defensively has been exposed, seems to have developed an attitude, and once he came West to battle the big boys his rebounding tailed off too. I'd feel better about him if the rest of our lineup was constructed differently, and you get the feeling he might able to run our stuff, but even so, that's a BIG contract.

Have always liked Harpring -- good combination of toughness and skill. If we could somehow get him without giving up anything significant, I would be quite happy with a Bonzi/Peja/Harping 2/3 trio with Harpring off the bench as a strong 6th man who can play both positions.

I agree with the attitude thing, but I don't think it's caused a major impact on the court. Plus I think Adelman could contain him. Boozer certainly is not the best, but I like him for our system and I also like Harpring a lot to bring in toughness and rebounding. It is a big contract, but I assume we'd send of KT, so it's one big contract for another. I don't know if we could aquire Harpring cheap, which is why I think we should trade Peja and go after both.

 

[6th]

I agree with Bricklayer on this. I used to be really high on Boozer, but with the injuries and attitude problems of last year, I would rather pass. That is a lot of money to spend, and I am not convinced he is that good....good, but not that good.

Harpring, on the other hand, I would love to have as a new 6thman to backup both Bonzi and Peja. He had a lot of injuries 2 years ago, but was able to play most of the games last year, so I would take a chance on him for that contract.

 

[AriesMar27]

i was saying boozer the minute we got thomas, corliss and skinner.... but i wouldnt want to trade skinner.... he could be our new keon clark.... and beat the mavs a couple of times.... lol.... adding boozer would help so would harpring i guess.

 

[captain bill]

i was saying boozer the minute we got thomas, corliss and skinner.... but i wouldnt want to trade skinner.... he could be our new keon clark.... and beat the mavs a couple of times.... lol.... adding boozer would help so would harpring i guess.

Skinner has shown us all that he will be. A nice guys, a couple blocks, a couple rebounds. A few good nights, but other than that, not much of note.

 

[Diabeticwonder]

While Utah is putting together a solid team they have also showed that they want to free up some money next year and that's why Al Harrington might be a good fit there. He has one more year on his deal at around 6 mil per year. Harpring would be a very solid 6th man who competes as hard as anyone there is. He would be a great fit. If somehow GP could get both him and Boozer without giving up Peja or one of the other "core" players I will endorse that deal in a minute.

 

[quick dog]

In my opinion, Matt Harpring is one of those Jerry Sloan-trained thugs. He is a natural middle linebacker.

 

[Bad Boy Bo]

I think Boozer can come up big for us. Harping definately will do his part. Boozer is expensive though, but I really believe a lot in him for some reason. It's as everyone is saying, if Boozer/Harping can be aquired without using the "core" players, then go for it.

 

[Bricklayer]

In my opinion, Matt Harpring is one of those Jerry Sloan-trained thugs. He is a natural middle linebacker.

Whihc is exactly what we need since currently we employ a bunch of natural cheerleaders.

But Harpring was scrappy long before he hit Utah.

 

[captain bill]

Whihc is exactly what we need since currently we employ a bunch of natural cheerleaders.

But Harpring was scrappy long before he hit Utah.

Agree 100%. I would not mind saying goodbye to Peja if we could somehow aquire Harpring. All the sweeter if Harpring can become our 6th man. Having a dude like him on the bench who can play D, rebound and score would do wonders for this team.

 

[Kings113]

I would absolutely love to see Boozer/Hapring on this team. Especially if it doesn't involve Peja, and be KT/player/maybe another player or pick.

Bibby
Bonzi
Peja
Boozer
Miller

w/ bench of Hart, Price, Harpring, Garcia, Skinner, Barnes/someone else, maybe Songaila, etc.

Bring it.

 

[C4]

realistically(both salary & contracts-wise) is there any relaity at all that we can get Utah to deal us both Boozer & Harpring for anyone other than our "core" players?

 

[Evenstar]

intresting

i wouldn't mind the kings aquiring either guy. i like em both. if the price is right, go for it. boozer might play better with the scenery change. the attitude might change as well.

we shall see.

 

[6th]

intresting

the attitude might change as well.

we shall see.

Good point about Boozer.

 

[Bricklayer]

I would absolutely love to see Boozer/Hapring on this team. Especially if it doesn't involve Peja, and be KT/player/maybe another player or pick.

Bibby
Bonzi
Peja
Boozer
Miller

w/ bench of Hart, Price, Harpring, Garcia, Skinner, Barnes/someone else, maybe Songaila, etc.

Bring it.

Well yes, but I just don't see any way for that to happen unless Utah REALLY wants to unload Boozer's contract. Obviously every team in the league would be strengthened if they could get those guyy without having to give anybody up.

Frankly I am in many ways more interested in Harpring as a top 6th man giving us one of the best OG/SF rotations in the league than I am in Boozer and his massive contract. Would rather have him than what we have up front right now, but not my first choice as PF. Harpring however -- ending contract, cheap, and would be a top bench guy to at least make us very strong at 2 positions. Of course as a talented ending contract, in some ways he might be harder to get than Boozer.

 

[ParniValjak]

Well yes, but I just don't see any way for that to happen unless Utah REALLY wants to unload Boozer's contract. Obviously every team in the league would be strengthened if they could get those guyy without having to give anybody up.

Frankly I am in many ways more interested in Harpring as a top 6th man giving us one of the best OG/SF rotations in the league than I am in Boozer and his massive contract. Would rather have him than what we have up front right now, but not my first choice as PF. Harpring however -- ending contract, cheap, and would be a top bench guy to at least make us very strong at 2 positions. Of course as a talented ending contract, in some ways he might be harder to get than Boozer.

Yeah but your first choice for a PF would be Garnett and quite frankly there is more chance of me picking up Jennifer Lopez that there is of Kings getting KG, ie none

Boozer and Harpring would be super aquisitions for us if it doesn't cost us one of the core players. Very unlikely but still.

Maybe Utah might be interested in Harpring for Williamson. Works on realgm but I think is Jazz wants to trade these 2 its to get better not worse.

You are right in saying that Harpring off the bench for us would be tremendous. He would be a 6th man of the year candidate and would be a great back up for Bonzi and Peja.

However, our more pressing needs are at PF and if we could somehow get Boozer without losing a member of our core, then GP would have done a SUPER job. While Boozer has big contracts (he would be highest paid king if the trade went ahead) but he is still young and has best years ahead of him. He would add some real toughness to our frontcourt.

 

[Bricklayer]

My first choice for PF would be someone who can shut down the middle, or at least earn less than $12mil a year if he's not going to do that. The same problem exists with Boozer as exists with SAR -- we already have all of the shots in the starting lineup accounted for. Adding another scorer doesn't add much, and takes away from the other scorers we already have on the floor.

I do think that Boozer still has a chance to be a good young PF in this league -- tough, post game, was a major rebounder two years ago. But last year he looked lazy defensively, wasn't able to keep up the rebounding pace against the big boys out West, and seemed to display an icky attitude from the moment he screwed over the Cavs to the moment he shut it down for the season for the Jazz. And more importantly a) he has a huge contract that runs forever which would severely limit our ability to maneuver financially; and b) again, this is not fantasy ball, and you need to pick players who fit together. Boozer brings some toughness and post play -- good. But Brad and Peja are roughly the least intimidating C/SF combo in the league on the inside -- and we desperately need somebody between them that has length, athleticism, and can challenge all of the drivers that just ignored our interior last year. That ain't Carlos, who at least has bulk, but is also maybe an inch taller than KT and got exposed defensively once Kirlilenko went down and he no longer had that big shotblocker (Big Z, AK-47) playing next to him and covering for him when he got beat.

 

[Kings113]

Well, O'Connor seems to of shot them being shopped down...

But on just getting Harpring, I'd really like that too, for the reasons already stated. I'd like it if we got just one, too.

 

[Jerryaki]

do they have any needs at OG and/or PF? perhaps some sort of sign and trade with the spares and Evans/Songaila?

 

[jay dubb]

I'll take a PF that could give us 18 points a night, rebound, and defend some, and hey thats what Boozer would do if we could get him through some kind of trade. Plus the guy is still very young and he would probably become an all-star caliber player in our offense, so that would be a great pickup and hey we still would have the MLE to spend on some more big men. So if we can get the guy I say go for it.

 

[Bricklayer]

do they have any needs at OG and/or PF? perhaps some sort of sign and trade with the spares and Evans/Songaila?

That would be a thought, but you'd kind of have to convince Evans/Songaila they wanted to be in Utah -- and signing Evans, even for a sign and trade, eats into our MLE.

In any case, Matt Harpring >>>>> Mo Evans and Carlos Boozer >>>>>>>> Darius Songaila, so not sure how much impact those kind of offers would have. Maybe Martin as sweetner too. But I would think for any offers not involving our core to work, Utah would have to really want to escape that Boozer megadeal

 

[Diabeticwonder]

I would think that a deal involving expiring contracts would be much more tempting for Utah than taking back guys like Mo, Darius or even KT. For that matter, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Dallas offer KVH for both those guys. The city of Salt Lake loves KVH and his deal expires next year and Boozer and Harpring's salaries work with his.