Editing Carlos Boozer (section)

====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>