By: Tyler Ward
ESPN's Ric Bucher announced Wednesday that the Chicago Bulls have signed Carlos Boozer to a 5-year/$80 million deal. Boozer is just the latest free agent to sign, as Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh signed with the Miami Heat earlier in the day.
LeBron James is still a free agent and the Bulls are listed as one of his final choices. James will announce Thursday where he will sign.
It was unlikely that Boozer would return to Utah this season after the Jazz matched the Trail Blazers' offer to Paul Millsap last summer for a new 4 year deal worth $32 million. Boozer could have opted out last year, but decided to stay in Utah for one more season and finish out his contract. The Bulls knew they had to have a commitment from somebody after Wade and Bosh went to Miami earlier this morning.
This instantly makes the Bulls one of the most formidable teams in the Eastern Conference, even if they don't sign LeBron James. They may have one of the best frontcourts in the NBA now with Boozer, Joakim Noah, and Taj Gibson as the backup. Chicago also has former Rookie of the Year, Derrick Rose and serviceable forward, Luol Deng to fill out the roster. With the signing of Boozer, the Bulls still have enough cap space to offer a maximum contract to somebody.
Boozer's payment plan could end up something like this:
- First Year: $13,793,103
- Second Year: $14,896,552
- Third Year: $16,000,000
- Fourth Year: $17,103,448
- Fifth Year: $18,206,897
However, the signing of Boozer means that LeBron James may not sign with Chicago. Boozer was taken 34th overall in the 2002 draft, a year before James was taken first overall by the Cavs. But, Boozer did leave Cleveland bitterly and signed with the Jazz in 2004, only after two seasons with Cleveland. This could mean that James may not want to play with Boozer and it could possibly introduce James' return to Cleveland.
