Boozer deal could get worse
Monday, July 12, 2004
Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter
The six-year, $68 million offer sheet presented to Carlos Boozer by the Utah Jazz may do more than just leave the Cavaliers empty-handed.
It could literally cost them.
That's if the allegations are true that Boozer and the Cavs made an oral agreement before the two-week negotiating period that started July 1, a violation of the league's collective bargaining agreement. If so, the Cavs could be fined, forced to give up draft picks and any team personnel involved suspended.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were slapped by the league in 2000 for signing forward Joe Smith to a series of illegal contracts in violation of the salary cap. The league voided the contract, fined the Timberwolves $3.5 million and stripped the club of five first-round draft picks. Two of the picks, in 2003 and 2005, have since been restored.
There's a major difference between the two cases. In Minnesota, Smith signed a written contract. Boozer allegedly made an oral agreement with owner Gordon Gund and General Manager Jim Paxson.
This incident between the Cavs and Boozer may have a rippling effect on future negotiations. Right now, there's a 13-day waiting period for players and teams to express their interest to negotiate and decide their intentions. The 14th day is the first time players and teams can sign offer sheets. Once an offer sheet is signed, the player's current team has 15 days to either match the offer or allow the player to move on.
"What happened between Boozer and the Cavs will have an adverse affect on how GMs and owners deal with agents," said agent Aaron Goodwin, who represents LeBron James. "You won't see anyone trusting again. I say by next year, there will be no more window. Once a team draws up a contract, the player will be able to sign right then."
The league office has reserved comment, so right now it appears the Cavs could escape any penalties and Boozer will move on.
The Cavs will have to regroup. After narrowly missing the playoffs this past season they became heavy favorites to make the postseason. That has also changed.
"Anyone that doesn't believe it's going to be difficult in making the playoffs now is fooled," Goodwin said. "Boozer is a stud. He was coming along and it's not easy to replace a young gun. But now you just have to reload, sweep this under the rug and find someone else to come in."
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1089624675142581.xml
