"Utah's future...Millsap or Boozer?"

Carlos Boozer is one of the better power-forwards in the game today. He's one of the few 20/10 guys in the league, and possibly the most consistent. Not only that, but he shoots well over 50% from the field, and this guy takes a lot of mid-range jumpers. His defense is pretty solid, although he is not a shot blocker he gets the job down. Why am I speculating he be traded? How could I possible think he is expendable?


The answer is plain and simple: Paul Millsap. In his third year with the Jazz he has shown that he is starter material. Boozer has been hurt the past few weeks, and Millsap has finally gotten his chance to show what he is made of. If you have watched any of the games(I've watched about four of them), you would notice this kid is the real deal, and not a tease. Let's take a look at the numbers he has put up in the past 8 games, all of which he has started with Boozer out:

16.8ppg 10.1rpg 2.8apg 1.3spg 1.0bpg 33.9mpg

Are you kidding me? While putting up these ludicrous numbers he has shot 55% from the field. In his eight consecutive starts this season, guess what? Eight consecutive double/doubles, and five of those games he had at least 20/10. Talk about a great back-up. He has shown his coach, team, and the league that he is a force to be reckoned with. I watched his last game, where he was matched up with Amare Stoudemire most of the game, and he managed to put up 20 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. If he was putting up these numbers against the Knicks I could realize they are inflated, but he is doing this against top tier teams.

This leads me to a wild, speculative discussion in thinking Boozer could be shopped. We have all read about Boozer's home life in the populated city of Miami. He calls Miami home, and just so happens to be a free-agent at the end of this year. With Millsap on track to fill in exactly where Boozer left off, it's a strong possibility that the Utah management is thinking about a trade. Rationally thinking, why let Boozer walk away this summer for nothing in return? His expiring and talent combine for a highly valued trade piece, in which they could get a solid return.

So Utah has a decision to make. Boozer or Millsap? If they sign Boozer to a huge contract this summer, well, they are basically telling Millsap that he is just a "backup" to them, and I doubt he stays with the team. Or they can let Boozer go and sign with Miami(or whomever), and have Millsap replace him starting at PF. Personally, I would choose the latter. Replace Boozer with Millsap, get identical production, yet save millions of dollars. What's not to like? Both are solid options though, so it's a win/win for them.

Utah's future is looking very bright, indeed. With Deron Williams as their franchise guy they have many options to explore. Young players like Millsap, Brewer, and Miles are all proving to be very solid players of the future. Okur and Boozer, their starting front-line, are both free-agents this summer. Kirilenko has a huge contract, yet is a solid player while also being a movable piece. Utah has many options ahead of them, and unless they get can get to the Western Conference Finals this year, well, I think there exists a strong possibility of change in their future.