More Offseason Analysis: Updating Free Agency news | Free Agent tracker
Multiple outlets report that the Lakers have won the amnesty auction for Carlos Boozer, who was waived by the Bulls using the amnesty provision. That means the Lakers outbid other teams for Boozer's services.
ESPN sources say Lakers have won the Carlos Boozer waiver auction today
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 17, 2014
Carlos Boozer has been claimed off amnesty waivers by the Lakers, sources tell ESPN
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 17, 2014
League source says the Los Angeles Lakers have submitted the winning claim for free agent F Carlos Boozer, amnestied by Chicago.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 17, 2014
Lakers have made partial waiver claim on Boozer.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 17, 2014
ESPN has learned that the Los Angeles Lakers have won the amnesty auction with the highest bid for Boozer
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 17, 2014
So... this is a little weird. Boozer is a veteran, and the Lakers did want to put together a decent team next season, but haven't put the money out to really improve the team. They'll be fine, probably not good, but slightly competitive. But the addition of Boozer puts a roadblock in front of first-round pick Julius Randle. And that doesn't make any sense.
Boozer effectively is a swap with Pau Gasol, who was signed by Chicago. That's a significant downgrade, but Boozer may honestly be better defensively at this point.
It's a cheap option, though, and it gives Kobe Bryant a big he won't want to punch in the face three times a game. ESPN reports that it's a $3.2 million winning bid for the last year of his contract.
That means Lakers acquire Boozer's expiring contract and Chicago is on the hook for the rest of Boozer's salary in 2014-15: $13.6 million
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 17, 2014
How Boozer fits with the longterm goals of the franchise, and whether he would be a better fit as a roleplayer on a true contender remains to be seen.
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