Editing Carlos Boozer (section)

==Professional career==

===Cleveland Cavaliers (2002–2004)===
Boozer was selected with the 35th overall pick in the [[2002 NBA draft]] by the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]. Boozer averaged 10.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in his rookie campaign, and followed it up with 15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game his second year.

====Free agency controversy====
[[File:2004 Got Milk Rookie Challenge - Sophomore Starting Lineup.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Boozer (''first from right'') standing with the Sophomores team during the [[2004 NBA All-Star Game|2004]] [[Rising Stars Challenge|Rookie Challenge]] game]]
After the [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04 season]], the Cavaliers had the option of allowing him to become a [[Free agent#Unrestricted and restricted free agency|restricted free agent]], or keeping him under contract for one more year at a $695,000 salary. The Cavaliers claimed to have reached an understanding with Boozer and his agent on a deal for approximately $39 million over six years, which he would have signed if they let him out of his current deal.

Cleveland then proceeded to release him from his contract making him a restricted free agent. During this period, the [[Utah Jazz]] offered Boozer a six-year, $70 million contract that Cleveland chose not to match due to salary cap considerations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1836318 |title=Cavs out after 'understanding' falls apart |work=ESPN.com |date=July 11, 2004 |access-date=April 6, 2010}}</ref> On July 30, 2004, Boozer officially signed with the Jazz.

Then Cavaliers owner [[Gordon Gund]] said, "In the final analysis, I decided to trust Carlos and show him the respect he asked for. He did not show that trust and respect in return."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1839664 |title=Gund: Trust with Boozer 'was broken' |work=ESPN.com |date=July 14, 2004 |access-date=March 7, 2011}}</ref> However, Boozer denied that he made any commitment to the Cavaliers: "There was no commitment. It's unfortunate how the turn of events went through the media", Boozer said shortly after signing the deal with Utah. "I'm not a guy that gives my word and takes it away. I think I've made that clear."<ref>[http://basketbawful.blogspot.com.au/2008/07/word-of-day-pull-boozer.html Word of the Day: Pull a Boozer]</ref> Boozer later claimed that he originally intended to re-sign with the Cavaliers, but he and his team subsequently found out that his negotiations with the Cavaliers may lead to a tampering violation investigation from the NBA and severe penalty for the Cavaliers if he signed, causing him to come to the conclusion he had to move on, against his original intentions.<ref>[https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nba/cavaliers/carlos-boozer-controversial-exit-cleveland-cavaliers/95-975cc15f-6a44-48b8-b823-47bcaffa38c8?fbclid=IwAR067u0mBHmm6u-I0CdHFgmVjhxsE8kBTpmX2LWU5v7ZYEZSmVj0jpgsfMQ Carlos Boozer explains controversial exit from Cleveland Cavaliers]</ref>

===Utah Jazz (2004–2010)===
[[File:Carlos Boozer-2.jpeg|thumb|left|Boozer shooting a free throw while playing with the [[Utah Jazz]] in March 2008|300x300px]]
In his first season with the Jazz in [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05]], Boozer averaged 17 points and 9 rebounds per game. However, he suffered an injury, missing the later part of the season, which contributed to the Jazz missing [[2005 NBA Playoffs|the playoffs]] for only the second time in 22 years, and he was publicly criticized for a lack of effort by team owner [[Larry H. Miller|Larry Miller]].

As the [[2005–06 NBA season|2005–06 season]] began, Boozer was still recovering from injury, and then aggravated a hamstring, causing him to miss the first half of that season as well. He returned to action in late February, easing into action by coming off the bench for the Jazz. In the middle of March, he was placed back into the starting lineup. From that point, he finished the season in impressive fashion, averaging over 20 points and almost 10 rebounds per game and firmly establishing himself as the Jazz's starting power forward once again.

Boozer got off to a strong start in the [[2006–07 NBA season|2006–07 season]], winning the Western Conference Player of the Week Award and helping the Jazz to win eleven of their first twelve games. Boozer was named part of the [[NBA All-Star Game|NBA All-Star]] roster as a reserve, but could not participate because of a hairline fracture in his left [[fibula]].

In an April 23, 2007 game against the [[Houston Rockets]] (game two of the first round of the 2007 playoffs), Boozer scored 41 points, tying the career high he had set a month earlier on March 26 (vs. the [[Washington Wizards]]). He also led the Jazz past the Rockets in game 7 of the first round in the NBA Playoffs, scoring 35 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and two clutch free throws to secure the victory in Boozer's first playoff series.

The Jazz would go on to win their second round series against the upstart Golden State Warriors, 4 games to 1, and advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1998. Even though they lost 4 games to 1 to the more experienced San Antonio Spurs, Boozer proved valuable and durable. He ended the season averaging 20.9 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, and playing in 74 of 82 games. He was even better in the playoffs, increasing his output to 23.5 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, and appearing in all 17 Jazz playoff games.

In November 2007, Boozer was named [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] Player of the Month.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/news/pom_071203.html |title=Dwight Howard, Boozer Named Players of the Month |website=[[NBA.com]] |access-date=December 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109203514/http://www.nba.com/news/pom_071203.html |archive-date=January 9, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> By mid-December, he was among the league's top five performers in [[point (basketball)|scoring]], [[rebound (basketball)|rebounding]] and [[field goal percentage]]. Although he later slipped in all of these categories, he continued to produce solid numbers. Boozer was again chosen as a backup in the All-Star Game, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds in just 19 minutes of play.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=280217032 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817203808/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=280217032 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |title=Allen's flurry of 3s help East hold on for All-Star win |work=ESPN.com |date=February 17, 2008 |access-date=March 7, 2011}}</ref> He registered his first career [[triple-double]] against the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] on February 13, 2008, with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=280213025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116035411/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=280213025 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 16, 2017 |title=Boozer's first career triple-double highlights Utah's blowout of Sonics |work=ESPN.com |date=February 13, 2008 |access-date=March 7, 2011}}</ref>

In the 2008 playoffs, the Jazz faced the Houston Rockets in the first round for the second year in a row. Determined to not allow him to beat them, the Rockets geared their defense more to stopping Boozer and his production was somewhat limited (16.0 points and 11.7 rebounds per game), but the Jazz defeated the Rockets, 4–2. In the second round of the 2008 playoffs, the Jazz lost to the top seeded Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
[[File:Carlos Boozer Jazz (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Boozer with the Jazz in 2010]]
During the [[2008–09 NBA season|2008–09 season]], Boozer's ability to stay healthy was questioned by fans and media alike, as he missed 44 games following arthroscopic left knee surgery. He missed time from late November 2008 to late February 2009. When he played, his numbers were 16.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, in 37 games (all starts). With his possible pending free agency at the end of the season looming, it seemed likely Boozer would leave. However, when the deadline for choosing free agency or opting into the remaining year came, he surprised many by opting in for the 2009–10 season with the Jazz. The Jazz management stated publicly they were happy to have him return and play for them, and Boozer did the same.

In [[2009–10 NBA season|2009–10]], Boozer played well, averaging 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, and shot 56.2% from the field, a career high. He played in 78 of 82 games and avoided injury, which boded well heading into the 2010 summer.

===Chicago Bulls (2010–2014)===
[[File:Carlos Boozer and Andray Blatche.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Boozer posting up [[Andray Blatche]] in a game for the Bulls in 2011]]
On July 8, 2010, Boozer was acquired by the [[Chicago Bulls]] in a [[Sign and trade|sign-and-trade]] deal with the Jazz, signing a 5-year, $75 million contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=6168 |title=Bulls sign Carlos Boozer |work=InsideHoops.com |date=July 8, 2010 |access-date=July 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113223521/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=6168 |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5361792 |title=Boozer has Bulls deal |work=ESPN.com |date=July 8, 2010 |access-date=July 8, 2010}}</ref>

Despite missing 23 games due to injury in 2010–11, Boozer still managed to average 17.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game while also helping the Bulls get the first seed in the Eastern Conference. His production saw a decline the following year, as he averaged just 15 points and 8.5 rebounds per game (while playing in all 66 games).

Boozer rebounded with a healthy, solid 2012–13 season, averaging 16.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game while playing in 79 games. On January 16, 2013, Boozer scored a season-high 36 points and grabbed 12 rebounds during a 107–105 overtime victory against the [[Toronto Raptors]].<ref>[https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-boozer-scores-36-points-bulls-beat-raptors-in-ot-2013jan16-story Boozer scores 36 points, Bulls beat Raptors in OT]</ref>

On July 15, 2014
, Boozer was released by the Bulls via the [[amnesty clause]].<ref>{{cite news|title=BULLS AMNESTY CARLOS BOOZER|date=July 15, 2014|work=NBA.com|url=http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/bulls-amnesty-carlos-boozer|access-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=K. C. |title=Bulls use amnesty provision on Boozer |date=July 15, 2014 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-bulls-use-amnesty-provision-on-carlos-boozer-20140715,0,4360207.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716082848/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-bulls-use-amnesty-provision-on-carlos-boozer-20140715,0,4360207.story |archive-date=July 16, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Los Angeles Lakers (2014–2015)===
On July 17, 2014, Boozer was claimed off amnesty waivers by the [[Los Angeles Lakers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/140717carlosboozer|title=Lakers Awarded Carlos Boozer|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.|date=July 17, 2014|access-date=July 17, 2014}}</ref> The Lakers paid $3.25 million of his $16.8 million salary, while the Bulls paid the remaining $13.55 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/11229606/carlos-boozer-join-los-angeles-lakers|title=Source: L.A.'s Boozer bid $3.25M|work=ESPN.com|date=July 18, 2014|access-date=July 18, 2014}}</ref> On February 4, 2015, he scored a season-high 28 points in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/boozeca01/gamelog/2015/ Carlos Boozer 2014-15 Game Log]</ref>

Boozer's final NBA game was on April 15, 2015, a 122–99 loss to the [[Sacramento Kings]] where he recorded 10 points and six rebounds.

===Guangdong Southern Tigers (2016–2017)===
On July 30, 2016, Boozer signed with the [[Guangdong Southern Tigers]] of the [[Chinese Basketball Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asia-basket.com/China/news/456417/Guandong-Tigers-land-Carlos-Boozer|title=Guandong Tigers land Carlos Boozer|work=asia-basket.com|date=July 30, 2016|access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref> On December 18, 2017, Boozer announced his retirement.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Feldman|first1=Dan|title=Carlos Boozer announces retirement|url=http://nba.nbcsports.com/2017/12/18/carlos-boozer-announces-retirement/|website=nba.nbcsports.com|access-date=December 19, 2017|date=December 18, 2017}}</ref>

Utah Jazz Scout
(2025-Present 

On May 20th,2025 The Utah Jazz hired Carlos Boozer as a Scout