Boozer rumors fly as NBA trade deadline passes News Chicago Bulls

The Jazz are known to have done some serious talking before Thursday's NBA trade deadline, specifically with Sacramento regarding guard John Salmons. But all indications from within the organization are that there is no substance whatsoever to an Internet suggestion that the Cleveland Cavaliers had an opportunity to pry power forward Carlos Boozer back from Utah. "What's really interesting to me is I've been told they (the Cavs) had a chance to get Carlos Boozer," ESPN.com's Chad Ford wrote in an on-line chat appearing on the Web site Thursday. Ford also wrote that the Jazz "quietly looked at possibilities for Boozer," an ex-Cav who this offseason will have the right to opt out of the last year on his current $68 million contract.

Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor had no comment on the ESPN report and would only characterize the final hours of deadline day as being "quiet, as expected" for the club. The days leading to the deadline, however, weren't exactly silent. It's believed the Jazz engaged in substantive talks with the Kings regarding Salmons, who eventually was dealt to Chicago along teammate Brad Miller. A trade kicker in Salmons' contract combined with the Chicago's interest, however, helped squash Utah's hopes for acquiring the 18.3 points-per-game scorer. The made-over Kings also waived veteran Mikki Moore, the ex-Jazz big man. Though they never seriously discussed acquiring Moore from Sacramento, the Jazz would have some interest in signing him to a pro-rated contract for the remainder of the season. Indications Thursday were that there's a slim-to-none likelihood of that actually happening, though, as Moore was rumored to perhaps be headed to Boston once he clears waivers. While the hint of talk between Utah and Cleveland about Boozer appears to be without substance, meanwhile, ESPN's Ford did also touch on what appears to be the latest hot Internet buzz regarding the two-time All-Star. Boozer, he wrote, "is a possibility" for Detroit "if he opts out." That echoes this earlier report from Yahoo.com's Adrian Wojnarowski: "When Detroit sheared nearly another $1 million in salary-cap space with the trade of Alex Acker to the Los Angeles Clippers this week, (general manager) Joe Dumars further solidified his franchise as the favorite to sign Boozer as a free agent this summer. "The Pistons expect to have nearly $23 million available to spend this summer on free agents. ... The Jazz and Boozer have grown tired of each other, and league executives believe Utah is more inclined to re-sign power forward Paul Millsap to a long-term contract. "Boozer has played just 12 games this season with a knee injury. His inability to stay on the floor has clouded teams' opinions about him, but Boozer makes sense as the replacement for pending Pistons free agent Rasheed Wallace." Boozer, meanwhile, missed, as expected, his 43rd straight game when the Jazz played Boston late Thursday. But he said results of a Cybex test taken Thursday morning to compare his left hamstring and quadriceps to the healthy right were encouraging. "My strength is pretty close," Boozer said, "so I'm really excited about that. Another positive thing. "Every now and then," he added, "I feel, like, a little something here or there ? but nothing to discourage me. So I keep moving forward. ... I'm right there. That's what I think. I think I'm right there." Boozer hopes to work out in full with the team today for the first time since he underwent arthroscopic surgery Jan. 9 to remove "particles" from his left knee. But he didn't commit to exactly when he'll return, and made it quite clear he'll be the final judge of that. "(Today), if it goes really good," he said, "we'll move on from there. "As long as my knee feels good," Boozer added, "I'll be back on the court." Boozer did, though, suggest Thursday that he truly is eager to play again ? whenever that may be. "I'll probably have a ton of emotions, be really excited initially," he said. "Just 'anxious,' I think is the best word to use. I'm really anxious to get back on the court." Teammates seemed pleased to hear that. "It should be great, you know? He (Boozer) is a guy we've missed a lot this year. A big part of our team," point guard Deron Williams said. "Him being out is a big reason why we don't have the best record. So, it was great to get Andrei (Kirilenko) back (from ankle surgery last Tuesday), and now you hear he (Boozer) is coming back (to practice). It's definitely a big positive." E-MAIL: tbuckley@desnews.com">tbuckley@desnews.com