Free Agent Stock Watch: Carlos Boozer

Unrestricted free agent Carlos Boozer is one of the biggest names still on the market. A big reason for Boozer being one of the final chips to fall is his age. The summer was filled with marquee free agent big men — and ones that are in their prime — landing lucrative deals. Boozer, on the other hand, will turn 34 in November.

The man can still play, though. The veteran can still help a contending team with his scoring and rebounding. That is why Boozer still has interest from at least a few teams for his services.

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The Knicks, Rockets and Mavericks continue to have interest in signing Boozer, according to Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops. Scotto first identified the Knicks as among the teams eyeing the Rob Pelinka client earlier this month. Marc Berman of the New York Post reported soon thereafter that the Knicks had engaged in internal conversations about him but hadn’t made a formal pursuit and then labeled New York’s interest in Boozer as “tepid.” Whether as a starter or reserve, Boozer would be a nice piece to add from the Knicks’ perspective because the team, as presently constructed, would start either Derrick Williams  or Kyle O’Quinn at power forward (unless Carmelo Anthony sees time there) with little depth after that in the frontcourt. Chris Broussard of ESPN.com said the Mavs and Rockets were among teams interested in Boozer just before free agency began, while Broussard later heard that the Mavs were one of four teams in talks with the former two-time All-Star.

At this point in the summer, financial flexibility — or lack thereof — is a big factor. The Knicks and Mavericks have access to the $2.814MM room exception. The Rockets are in a more difficult situation because they only have roughly $2.3MM left on their mid-level exception to spend but would trigger a hard cap if they gave any of it to Boozer. Houston also has No. 32 pick Montrezl Harrell who remains unsigned.

There are plenty of more potential suitors for Boozer, according to reports. Several other teams, including the Clippers, Spurs, Raptors, Pelicans, Nuggets, Nets, Lakers and Heat, have reportedly been interested in Boozer over the last month, but it’s unclear if any of them remain in the mix. Boozer and the Clippers reportedly had mutual interest.

In Boozer’s 13-year career, he has averaged 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. In a somewhat limited role with the Lakers last season, Boozer produced a pretty solid season. He had 11.8 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game in 23.8 minutes per game.

If he’s looking to play for a team with a strong chance to challenge for a championship, the Clippers and Rockets would both seem like logical choices because they each have assembled another quality team, especially considering the Clippers’ re-signing of DeAndre Jordan. Boozer would add even more depth and experience to either team’s frontcourt. Boozer has expressed a willingness to come off the bench for any team he signs with, according to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders.