Carlos Boozer remains a free agent, but the veteran power forward has successfully settled on his plan for the 2015-16 NBA season.
According to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Boozer is likely going to sit back, relax and enjoy the beginning of the season before joining a team sometime in the middle of the year.
Yahoo Sources: Likelihood is free agent Carlos Boozer waits for NBA season to start, sees where a need and fit develops with playoff team.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 28, 2015
Boozer’s theory has a slight problem: His options are quite limited.
It’s highly unlikely a championship-contending team offers him a contract. Perhaps a playoff-caliber roster watches a key player and Boozer is added for depth purposes, but there’s a reason the two-time All-Star hasn’t signed anywhere as September draws nearer.
Boozer’s best asset is a relatively consistent shooting touch inside of 16 feet. However, his days of spacing the floor and nailing 20-footers are nearly gone, and Boozer is a defensive liability. Per Basketball-Reference.com, he posted a 109 defensive rating last season.
The 6-foot-9 power forward may sign a contract in a few months, and if that happens, good for him. For example, if the Washington Wizards or Miami Heat lose a rotational piece, Boozer might receive a call.
If Boozer is dead-set on joining a winner, it’s a perfectly commendable decision for the 33-year-old who is—clearly—running out of opportunities to reach the NBA Finals.
Unless he somehow manages to sneak his way onto the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers or San Antonio Spurs, though, Boozer will fall short of a championship for the 14th season.