Bulls acquire F Carlos Boozer

Basketball Betting Lines

07/08/2010 -

CHICAGO (AP) -Carlos Boozer is now officially a member of the Chicago Bulls.

The two-time All-Star forward is going to the Bulls in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz, giving them the dominant big man they've craved for years.

He and the Bulls agreed Wednesday to what several outlets reported was a five-year deal worth roughly $75 million dollars. Shortly after Chicago announced the signing on Thursday, Jazz spokesman Jonathan Rinehart said Utah sent him along with a future protected second-round pick to the Bulls for a trade exception.

The deal gives the Jazz salary cap flexibility while the Bulls get a major presence inside.

``I feel we have the talent here to begin competing for a title and I cannot wait to get started,'' Boozer said.

The Bulls also confirmed the draft day trade that sent Kirk Hinrich and his $9 million salary along with the rights to No. 17 pick Kevin Seraphin to Washington. They received the rights to 2006 second-rounder Vladimir Veremeenko in return. But more important, that deal put them in position to sign two major stars.

They already had an All-Star point guard in Derrick Rose and one of the leading rebounders in Joakim Noah.

Now, with the flexibility to make a big splash in free agency, the Bulls were looking for more after back-to-back first-round playoff exits.

They did that when they reeled in Boozer on Wednesday, after Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh decided to team together in Miami instead of Chicago. By landing Boozer, the Bulls ensured they wouldn't go away empty-handed.

``We are confident that his skill set, toughness and leadership are all qualities that make him a great fit for the Bulls, and he will add a low-post element to our team that we have been searching for,'' Bulls general manager Gar Forman said in a statement. ``Post players, with the skills that Carlos possesses, are at a premium in the NBA and we believe that we have landed one of the best big men in the NBA.''

Most years, Boozer might be the top free agent, but this is like no other offseason. Teams did all they could to clear salary cap room to go after the stars, and the Bulls were no exception.

They made a big move by landing Boozer, who spent six years with Utah and averaged 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds last season. His arrival gives the Bulls a big man who will attract double-teams, taking some pressure off Rose, and another double-double player to go with Noah.

Although he sometimes clashed with management and was limited by injuries in three of his six years with the Jazz, Boozer played in 78 games the past season. His arrival in Utah came after an awkward exit from Cleveland following the 2003-04 season.

The Cavaliers, who could have exercised a one-year option after Boozer's second season, thought they had a six-year, $41 million agreement in place and let him hit the market. Boozer wound up accepting a six-year, $68 million dollar contract as a restricted free agent that they chose not to match.

The Cavaliers' general manager at the time was Jim Paxson, who is now a Bulls scout and consultant. And his brother John Paxson is Chicago's executive vice president of basketball operations.

--

AP Sports Writer Doug Alden in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Onlinevasino Basketball Betting News

<< Votto, Swisher voted as final All-Stars
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto and New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher were chosen by fan voting as the final two All-Stars, Major League Baseball announced Thursday MORE TO FOLLOW...

<< Potters land Belgium starlet Cuvelier
Stoke-on-Trent, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Belgium youth international Florent Cuvelier has joined Stoke City from Portsmouth. The 17-year-old midfielder was part of the academy set-up at the recently relegated Premier League club but

<< Giants take brooms to Brewers for first time
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aubrey Huff hit a two-run homer and knocked in four, as the San Francisco Giants finished off a four-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers with a 9-3 win at Miller Park. Andres Torres went 2-for-6 with

<< Palop extends Sevilla contract
Seville, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Veteran Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop has extended his stay after penning a new contract that will keep him in Andalusia until the summer of 2013. The 36-year-old joined the club in 2005 from La Liga r

<< Rockies cap sweep of Cardinals behind Jimenez
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ubaldo Jimenez worked eight solid innings and Jason Giambi chipped in with four hits and two runs batted in to lead Colorado to a 4-2 win over St. Louis in the last of a three-game set. Jimenez (15-1) yielded

Milwaukee inks top pick Sanders >>
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Milwaukee Bucks have signed forward Larry Sanders, their 2010 first-round draft choice, to a multi-year contract. No terms of the deal were announced for the 15th overall pick in the NBA Draft

Naslund to have number retired by Canucks >>
Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund will have his number 19 raised to the rafters by the club on December 11. The announcement came late Wednesday that Naslund, who played in Vancouver

Rangers' fan injured in fall thankful to be alive >>
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -Texas Rangers fan Tyler Morris says he's thankful to be alive after tumbling about 30 feet from second-deck stands while trying to catch a foul ball.The 25-year-old tells The Associated Press his face is swollen and his foot

Coroner: Ex-Kentucky star Turpin commits suicide >>
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -Mel Turpin, former NBA player an All-American Kentucky center, has died. He was 49.Police and the coroner were called to his North Lexington house Thursday afternoon on a personal injury call. They found Turpin dead.Coroner Gary

Hanley Ramirez added to Home Run Derby >>
NEW YORK (AP) -Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez has been added to the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break.The 2009 NL batting champion will participate in his first derby on Monday in Anaheim, Calif. He had 13 home runs entering the Marlins' ga

FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

NFL Betting
After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

NFL Betting Lines

To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.