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.

Boozer and Harpring are both names that have been mentioned to me, as far as guys they are wanting to trade."

WOAHHHHHHHH!



Thanks for the article man. Lemme be the first to say I was NOT expecting this. I thought the Jazz were gonna stand pat with what they had. Boy was I wrong.

Well, I guess we can look forward to a whole week of Knick fans coming up with tons of trade scenarios with Utah. Should be fun...

ya......like 3 weeks ago. I still like him, and would still trade for him, but I realize that Crawford's staying put. Besides, the Jazz are looking for an All-Star caliber player in return, not expiring contracts. That alone should keep most Knick fans quiet, but I just got me a feeling that most Knick fans can't help themselves...

It was obvious Boozer would be available. He's overpaid and on a lottery team. He's also a good player that the Knicks should pursue.

What would it take to get Boozer here?

I would say start with Sweetney. Then you would have to add some $$ to match the contract and then either a 1st rounder or another young player such as Lee, Craw or Ariza.

I would do it for Sweeets, JYD and a future 1st.

It gives us a nice PF while giving up 2. You still have Rose as the backup with Frye too.

Well, I guess we can look forward to a whole week of Knick fans coming up with tons of trade scenarios with Utah. Should be fun...

you better believe it.

Whats this "relatively new" website that you got the article from?

Nope....Conners already squashed the rumor.


"That's an absolute lie. It's an absolute lie," O'Connor said Monday.

Told it was purportedly an unidentified NBA GM who said that, O'Connor said, "Well, he's a liar, and you can write that. I wish some of these people would step forward and say this is the guy. Put your name next to it.

"We're not shopping them and it's an absolute lie," O'Connor said


Either he's Raffy Palmiero's cousin, or we can all stop the Boozer to NY speculation...


[Edited by - bobs3304 on 08/09/2005 10:53:43]

Why are knx fans constantly giving up the ship for an overpaid player (with talent) who the other team wants to drop. Despite what the GM may say-Utah is not happy with the money being spent for a non super star. We might be will to ship out our under producing players with shorter contracts. No Sweetney, no draft choices, no Ariza. Take your pick-Penny, TT, JYD (have to have something decent there.

I know GM's usually say whatever they should to get the media spotlight away from them, but I truly believe that Booze is going NOWHERE. Yes, he's overpayed, but he gave them 19 and 9 last year. Harpring is a Sloan type of guy, and last year was a fluke for them. I think they're the sleeper in the West if they can atleast stay healthy.

I know GM's usually say whatever they should to get the media spotlight away from them, but I truly believe that Booze is going NOWHERE.

I think he is staying put too, but we can dream... How about this?: Sweetney and pick your shooting guard for Boozer?

Yes, he's overpayed, but he gave them 19 and 9 last year.

And he would be the best player on the Knicks' front line. The Knicks would have a presence in the froncourt that they can throw the ball to and have him score on a move, not just a rebound putback.

Harpring is a Sloan type of guy, and last year was a fluke for them. I think they're the sleeper in the West if they can atleast stay healthy.

I agree last year was a fluke. Utah started out looking very good and Kirilenko was doing great things. Kirilenko is a player who truly makes his team better in every aspect (3 point shooting?). I hope he does not become injury prone. Utah was decimated by injuries and then they gave up. If Deron williams is the real deal they may make some noise.

oohah