Is Boozer on Bulls' free-agent shopping list?
Black Friday is all about shopping, and the Bulls probably spent at least part of the day thinking about next year's free-agent frenzy.
The difference in the NBA is teams with money to spend can eye the merchandise all they want during the season but can't make a deal until July 1.
Utah power forward Carlos Boozer, one of those impending 2010 free agents, gave the Bulls plenty of food for thought by producing 28 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists while hitting 12 of 14 shots late Thursday night.
Thanks to Boozer's dominance, the Bulls suffered their fourth straight lopsided defeat 105-86 in Salt Lake City. The visitors trailed by double digits from the 10:26 mark of the second quarter to game's end.
"We're not communicating and we are letting people do whatever," Bulls guard Derrick Rose said after the game.
There are so many stellar free agents coming on the market next summer, it's easy to forget about Boozer. If he keeps playing the way he did against the Bulls, Boozer will rank just below guys such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh.
"You can see he's back to where he was a couple years ago when he was an all-star," Utah guard Deron Williams said.
The 6-foot-9 Boozer, who turned 28 last week, is averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and shooting 54.2 percent on the season.
Most observers expected Boozer to leave Utah last summer. He could have opted out of the final year of his contract, worth $12.3 million, but chose not to. When the Jazz matched an offer sheet from Portland for power forward Paul Millsap, Boozer seemed like certain trade bait.
He even went on the radio in Chicago and talked about how much he'd enjoy playing for the Bulls. But Utah decided not to make a move.
"I'm in a great groove, having a good time out there," Boozer said Thursday. "I told you guys: If they keep us together, we can be really good."
There's a chance Boozer could be traded before the Feb. 18 trade deadline. But as long as the Jazz is playing well, it might stick with this roster and see if Boozer can lead another playoff run.
It's also possible Utah could try to re-sign him. The Jazz is paying the luxury tax this season but can lose Matt Harpring and Kyle Korver from the payroll in 2010.
Either way, Boozer will be free to choose his own team next summer. There are plenty of free-agent targets, but the Bulls have no one who can score on the blocks like Boozer did Thursday night.
Point guard party: Point guards Derrick Rose and Deron Williams couldn't say enough good things about each other after Thursday's game. Williams got the better of the matchup with 21 points and 6 assists, but Rose wasn't bad, scoring 19. Luol Deng led the Bulls with 26 points.
"Whenever we play, we make it fun just competing," Rose said. "We're competitive, and we like to play aggressive. I definitely look up to him. He's always aggressive. That is how I am trying to get my game. I hope I can be in his shoes one day."
Countered Williams, the former Illinois star: "It's fun to play against Derrick. He's one of the top point guards in this league, a young guy who's making a name for himself."
Time to regroup: The Bulls (6-8) took Friday off and will have two days of practice at the Berto Center to regroup after losing four straight on the road. They have one more stop on the circus trip, in Milwaukee on Monday.
The Bulls have sort of a "rivalry week" ahead. After facing the Bucks and rookie sensation Brandon Jennings, Detroit visits the United Center on Wednesday. Then the Bulls play at Cleveland on Friday and host Toronto on Saturday.
Wednesday's game should mark the return of ex-Bulls guard Ben Gordon, although he sprained his left ankle Wednesday against Cleveland. Gordon was not expected to play Friday when the Pistons hosted the L.A. Clippers.