Carlos Boozer to Bulls? Hallelujah!

ESPN is reporting that their may be a trade in the works between the Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls, and Portland Trailblazers that would send power forward Carlos Boozer to the Windy City. The Bulls reportedly would have to give up Kirk Hinrich to Portland and Tyrus Thomas to Utah, but would get one of the best post players in the NBA in return. ...

Say what you will about the progression of Thomas last year, but he has yet to take that big leap on the court that Bulls fans hoped he eventually would when he was drafted in 2006. Hinrich is a fan favorite, but he makes way too much money ($10 million annually) to be a back up point guard. Rookie of the year Derek Rose proved last season that he's a natural scorer and having Boozer down low will only make life easier for the former Memphis Tiger.

Carlos Boozer has a hell of a resume.

Growing up in Sarah Palin country, Boozer honed his skills playing Juneau, Alaska before coming under the tutelage of Coach K at Duke University. In 2001 the power forward led the Blue Devils to the final four defeating Arizona to win the NCAA Championship. The two time All Star and two time Olympian might be the best double double man in the NBA this side of Dwight Howard. In the playoffs last year the Jazz bowed out to Houston Rockets in the second round, but Boozer averaged 20.6 points per game and 13.2 rebounds.

I love this move. Joakim Noah showed a little more potential than Thomas this past season and having both players in the starting lineup was redundant. I don't know if trading for Boozer will instantly make the Bulls a title contender, but it certainly improves the starting lineup. Pull the trigger Gar Forman!