Carlos Boozer Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Northwest Notes: Boozer, Bradley, OKC, Timberwolves

June 25th, 2025 at 10:40am CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The Jazz‘s reconfigured front office is leaning on former Utah forward Carlos Boozer and former longtime NBA guard Avery Bradley to help prep for Wednesday and Thursday’s NBA draft, observes Tony Jones of The Athletic.

“This place has really transformed,” Boozer told Jones. “But, I want to do my part to build this team back up to being a contender, because that’s where this franchise belongs. I love this fan base and this town. It reminds me of my hometown in Alaska. So, this has been a huge honor, and it’s brought back so many memories.”

As Jones notes, both Boozer and Bradley know something about being under-the-radar draft gems.

“I think having the perspective of being a player is helpful,” Bradley said. “Seeing players that could model and resemble some of the players that we’ve played with and have been in locker rooms with helps. What Carlos and I have wanted to do is help Austin (Ainge) and Justin (Zanik) and Danny (Ainge) in the process.”

There’s more out of the Northwest Division:

After claiming their first title together on Sunday, the Thunder’s new big three of MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, All-NBA wing Jalen Williams, and big man Chet Holmgren could form the core of a new dynasty, posits Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. “These guys represent all that’s good at a young age,” longtime Oklahoma City president Sam Presti said. “They prioritize winning, they prioritize sacrifice, and it just kind of unfolded very quickly…. Age is a number. Sacrifice and maturity is a characteristic, and these guys have it in spades.”
With the Timberwolves’ sale officially approved by the league, now-former majority owners Glen and Becky Taylor have penned a thank-you message to Minnesota fans, via a Timberwolves press release. Taylor leaves the Timberwolves in a good place, with the club anchored by All-NBA superstar guard Anthony Edwards and fresh off two straight Western Conference Finals appearances. “Though we are stepping away as owners, our love for this organization and this community remains as strong as ever,” the Taylors write. “We will always be fans, cheering from our seats, celebrating your triumphs, and believing in what comes next.”
Incoming new Timberwolves owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez spoke to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic about their vision for the franchise moving forward. “Let’s make it very clear,” Rodriguez said. “Marc and I are not making basketball decisions… What we’ve learned is some of the best governors throughout sports, they spend most of their time in the front end hiring the right people. … We give them guidelines, we give them budgets, and then Tim (Connelly) can cook. And then we stay out of his way. That’s also really important.”

Scotto’s Latest: Gafford, Huerter, Jazz, Boozer, Giddey, More

May 14th, 2025 at 3:28pm CST by Luke Adams

Looking ahead to the 2025 offseason trade market, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype identifies Daniel Gafford as a possible trade candidate to watch if the Mavericks and the veteran big man are unable to come to terms on a contract extension.

While Gafford has been a key rotation player over the last season-and-a-half in Dallas, he doesn’t project to be a starter as long as Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively are healthy, and his expiring $14.4MM contract could be a useful salary-matching piece as the Mavericks shop for backcourt help this summer.

Scotto also notes that Bulls wing Kevin Huerter drew some interest from the Jazz after being acquired by Chicago at this year’s trade deadline. The Kings were known to have explored the possibility of a John Collins trade before making their De’Aaron Fox deal, so Huerter likely came up in those talks with Utah. However, Scotto’s wording suggests the Jazz still had interest in Huerter after Sacramento agreed to send him to the Bulls.

It’s unclear if the Jazz will circle back to Huerter this summer or if their interest was solely about acquiring another asset that would’ve been attached to the veteran’s unwanted contract.

Here are several more highlights from Scotto’s latest rumor round-up:

Carlos Boozer, who earned two All-Star berths with the Jazz during his playing career, has been around the team at the draft combine in Chicago this week and is expected to be hired by Utah as a scout, league sources tell HoopsHype.
According to Scotto, there’s still a belief around the NBA that Bulls restricted free agent Josh Giddey will be seeking a five-year, $150MM contract this summer, similar to the one Jalen Suggs signed with Orlando last fall. That was Giddey’s reported asking price last October as well.
While David Griffin wanted to hang onto Kelly Olynyk and re-sign Bruce Brown, it’s unclear how new Pelicans head of basketball operations Joe Dumars feels about that veteran duo, Scotto writes. There’s a similar situation at work in Atlanta, where there was an expectation prior to Landry Fields‘ dismissal that the Hawks would try to re-sign Larry Nance Jr. and Caris LeVert while letting go of Clint Capela. It’s not yet known if that will still be the plan for the new-look front office, Scotto notes.
Sixers assistant Coby Karl isn’t expected to return to Nick Nurse‘s coaching staff next season, Scotto reports.

Carlos Boozer To Play In BIG3

January 25th, 2018 at 1:08pm CST by Luke Adams

Another noteworthy former NBA big man is making the transition to the BIG3 this summer, with the league announcing today (via Twitter) that Carlos Boozer will be a co-captain for the Ghost Ballers. That club is currently led by ex-NBA guards Mike Bibby and Ricky Davis.

The news comes just over a month after Boozer officially announced his retirement as an NBA player. Although the 36-year-old hadn’t played an NBA games since suiting up for the Lakers during the 2014/15 season, he had not formally signaled that he was ruling out a comeback until he did so in an ESPN appearance in December.

A two-time All-Star, Boozer played 13 total NBA seasons, averaging 16.2 PPG and 9.5 RPG in 861 total regular season contests for the Cavaliers, Jazz, Bulls, and Lakers. He also appeared in 83 total postseason games for Utah and Chicago. Boozer finished his playing career last season in China with the Guangdong Southern Tigers.

Boozer is the latest in a series of notable offseason player additions this winter by the BIG3, Ice Cube’s 3-on-3 league that played its first season in 2017. In addition to Boozer, former NBAers like Glen Davis, Nate Robinson, Baron Davis, and Jason Maxiell have signed on to play for various BIG3 clubs starting this June.

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Carlos Boozer

Carlos Boozer Announces Retirement

December 18th, 2017 at 4:57pm CST by clarkcrum

Two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer announced his retirement on ESPN this afternoon, per Dan Feldman of NBC Sports.

The Cavaliers drafted Boozer with the No. 35 overall pick in the 2002 draft, where he spent two seasons before controversially signing with the Jazz in the summer of 2004. In Utah, Boozer teamed with Deron Williams to form a potent one-two punch that saw the Jazz make the playoffs for four straight seasons from 2007 to 2010, including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2007.

Boozer was traded to Chicago in the summer of 2010, where he was eventually released by the Bulls with the amnesty clause before the 2014/15 season. The Lakers claimed Boozer off waivers a couple of days later, leading to Boozer spending his final NBA season in Los Angeles, where he averaged a career-low 23.8 minutes per game.

Boozer then sat out the 2015/16 NBA season before spending the 2016/17 season with the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association. Boozer finishes his NBA career with per game averages of 16.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.

Carlos Boozer

Will The Heat Add To Their Roster?

March 20th, 2017 at 6:01pm CST by Milo Taibi

In the latest edition of his mailbag, Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel broached the subject of Miami adding depth to their shaky roster. As one of Winderman’s readers pointed out, the Heat are within striking distance of a playoff spot, but are missing several players due to injury. What’s more, they’ve committed a roster spot to Udonis Haslem– a great clubhouse presence who isn’t an in-game contributor at this point in his career. In response, Winderman wrote:

“The Heat, for at least another week, not only won’t be able to dress the allowable 13 players, but like Sunday, will only be able to dress 11. Yes, I appreciate the ‘we have enough’ mentality that coaches such as Erik Spoelstra stress. But having enough does not mean having the maximum possible resources in a playoff race that will make every game count. Whether it is signing Carlos Boozer back from China or adding a defensive wing, you raise a legitimate point. This team is hemorrhaging roster spots, and if the mantra is to be all-hands-on-deck, then playing with a full deck would be the best place to start.”

Now tied with Detroit for the eighth seed of the Eastern Conference, the Heat enter a vital stretch of their season without Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters, or Josh McRoberts. While the team could pursue Lance Stephenson, whose second 10-day contract in Minnesota recently expired, he won’t be playoff eligible. Aside from reaching out to Boozer, Winderman lists Okaro White– who is “hardly getting off the bench lately”- as a potential source of production.

Clippers, Heat Interested In Carlos Boozer

March 18th, 2017 at 7:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Veteran forward Carlos Boozer has piqued the interest of some NBA teams by leading his Chinese club to within a game of the league finals, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

A source with connections to basketball in China tells Stein that the Clippers and Heat are among the teams closely following Boozer’s exploits with the Guangdong Southern Tigers. Both teams have fully stocked rosters and would have to waive someone to make room for Boozer. The Heat have an obvious candidate as they are expected to seek a medical retirement for Chris Bosh at some point.

The 34-year-old Boozer last played in the NBA during the 2014/15 season, when he appeared in 71 games with the Lakers. He also spent time with the Cavaliers, Jazz and Bulls during a 13-year career.

Boozer would be eligible for the playoffs because he hasn’t been on another NBA roster this season. However, Guangdong’s success may work against him if the Chinese postseason lasts too long. Boozer must return to the United States and be signed by April 12th, the last day of the regular season, to participate in the playoffs.

International Notes: Boozer, Teodosic, Hollins

March 17th, 2017 at 11:26am CST by Luke Adams

Could a return to the NBA be in the cards for Carlos Boozer? According to ESPN’s Marc Stein (via Twitter), the veteran big man is playing his way into contention for an NBA job. Boozer, who signed a deal last summer to play in China for the 2016/17 season, is a member of the Guangdong Southern Tigers, who are currently just one win away from a spot in the Chinese Basketball Association Finals.

Booazer, who is playing on a team with other former NBA players Donald Sloan and Yi Jianlian, has averaged 17.7 PPG and 10.6 RPG in 45 games for the Tigers this season. Still, it’s hard to imagine a current NBA contender clamoring to sign him when the CBA season ends, unless one of those teams suffers a frontcourt injury or two down the stretch.

Here are a few more updates and notes from international basketball leagues:

Nets general manager Sean Marks is headed overseas to scout a game between CSKA Moscow and Darussafaka Dogus on March 22, according to international basketball journalist David Pick (Twitter link). Standout CSKA guard Milos Teodosic, who has expressed a desire to make the leap to the NBA later this year, is one player Marks will likely have his eye on in that matchup.
Pick also notes (via Twitter) that former Pittsburgh guard Brad Wanamaker, who is currently playing for Darussafaka Dogus, has an NBA out in his deal. Wanamaker tells Pick that he met with Brett Brown last summer and was “real close” to signing with the Sixers.
Former NBA center Ryan Hollins, who was recently cut by CB Gran Canaria in Spain, is headed to Italy after agreeing to terms with Fiat Torino, a source tells Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. If Hollins remains overseas for the rest of this season, it will be the first year he hasn’t played an NBA game since he entered the league as a second-round pick in 2006.
After receiving a pair of 10-day contracts from the Hornets earlier this year, rookie center Mike Tobey returned to the team’s D-League affiliate. However, Tobey has now left the Greensboro Swarm and signed with Valencia in Spain, as Chris Reichert of The Step Back tweets.

Carlos Boozer To Play In China

July 30th, 2016 at 5:30pm CST by Arthur Hill

NBA veteran Carlos Boozer will play in China next season, tweets international basketball writer David Pick. The 34-year-old power forward recently met with the coach of the Guangdong Tigers, who was visiting the United States.

Boozer had been hoping to return to the NBA, saying he was working out five to six days a week in an attempt to earn an invitation to training camp. He last played in the league in 2014/15, appearing in 71 games with the Lakers. Boozer said he believes his body benefited from a year away from the physical NBA game.

Boozer may try to catch on with an NBA team after his Chinese season is complete. Over his 13-year career, he averaged 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds in 861 games. In addition to the Lakers, he played for the Cavaliers, Jazz and Bulls.

Carlos Boozer Eyeing NBA Return

June 30th, 2016 at 3:21pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Veteran forward Carlos Boozer is setting his sights on returning to the league next season, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports. Boozer last played in an NBA regular season game during the 2014/15 campaign when he made 71 appearances for the Lakers. The 34-year-old has been working out in Miami over the past year and hopes there’s an opportunity to land a bench role on a team where he can mentor younger players, the scribe adds.

“The previous season with the Lakers was a tough year,” Boozer told Wojnarowski “Kobe Bryant got hurt, Steve Nash went down and we had a young group still learning to win. I ended up taking the next year off, spent time with my kids and family and right now my body feels great. I feel terrific. I have been working out hard all year, and I miss the game. I want to play again.”

Boozer told the Vertical that he’s been working out five to six days a week and believes that his body has benefited from the rest of a year away from the NBA grind. The big man hopes he and his agent, Rob Pelinka, can identify potential contending teams that could use his skill set and experience. “I’ve been in the league for 13 years, and played in All-Star Games and been part of a gold-medal team in the Olympics [in 2008], and I think that I can be a help in a mentoring role,” Boozer continued. “I think I can help some younger guys. I’ve played against Karl Malone and Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan and picked up a lot of things that can be helpful to young guys. I really like the opportunity of having a role on a team where I can give back on the knowledge that I’ve gained through the years.”

In 861 career regular season games Boozer has averaged 16.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists to go along with a shooting line of .521/.071/.722.

Carlos Boozer

Bucks, Carlos Boozer Have Second Meeting

January 5th, 2016 at 3:23pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Bucks and Carlos Boozer met again recently, following up on the visit Boozer reportedly had with GM John Hammond and coach Jason Kidd in mid-December, sources told Sam Amico of Amico Hoops. Milwaukee has apparently backed off its interest in trading for Caron Butler, but it seems as though the team remains in the market for a veteran. Boozer has languished in free agency since the summer, despite reports that a litany of NBA teams were eyeing him over the offseason.

Kidd, who’s calling the shots on player personnel for the Bucks, as Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times told us, took a leave of absence to undergo hip surgery shortly after the first meeting with Boozer. It’s unclear how much input he has on the team’s decision-making while he’s away, though interim coach Joe Prunty said recently that he and his staff were in close contact with Kidd. The Bucks have continued to falter since Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports reported the original meeting with Boozer on December 17th, going 4-5 since that date. Milwaukee is 14-22 and five and a half games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Bucks are without much roster flexibility, since they have 15 fully guaranteed contracts, though they have a $1.664MM sliver of the mid-level exception left over if Boozer, a 13-year veteran, demands more than the minimum salary, which for him would be $1,499,187. The Clippers, Knicks, Rockets, Mavericks, Spurs, Raptors, Pelicans, Nuggets, Nets, Lakers and Heat all reportedly had interest in the offseason.