Carlos Boozer: Rental or Piece for the Future?

Sep 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Carlos Boozer (5) during media day at the team practice facility in El Segundo. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday was the Lakers’ media day and of the new faces, Carlos Boozer is perhaps the most accomplished to join the team. Coach Byron Scott even mentioned how he expected Boozer, along with Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant, to be the veteran leaders who drive this team. Given Boozer’s one year deal with the Lakers, is he just a rental for this season or part of the long term plans?

Carlos Boozer, a 32 year-old, who will be 33 a month into the season, has had an accomplished career to this point. Unfortunately, Boozer is coming off of perhaps the worst season of his career since his rookie year. Last season in Chicago, Boozer averaged 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, on 45.6% shooting from the floor. Although not a terrible season, for the large contract he was signed to, it was definitely disappointing.

Boozer comes to the Lakers via the amnesty free agent bidding process. The Bulls parted ways with Boozer and replaced him with former Laker Pau Gasol. The Lakers swooped in with a bid $3.2 million to earn the rights to Boozer for this season. The Bulls will be paying almost $10 million more to Boozer than the Lakers will this season to not play for their team.

So Boozer comes to the Lakers as a cast away, but also an able replacement for Pau Gasol. Considering the price tag of Boozer, the Lakers are certainly getting a bargain. If he has a successful season, would the Lakers be willing to bring him back? After drafting Julius Randle, it appears clear that the Lakers have their power forward of the future, but that doesn’t mean Boozer couldn’t be a great big man off the bench as well as mentor to the very young Randle.

With this being the final year for Steve Nash and likely one of Kobe’s two final seasons, the Lakers roster is finally making a shift toward youth. Having a veteran big man on the roster could be beneficial for the development of younger players who are just learning how to be an NBA player. If the Lakers could re-sign Boozer for a deal similar to the $3.2 million they’ll be paying him this year, Boozer would be a welcome addition to the future. If he starts asking for money closer to the mid-level exception ($5-6 million), the Lakers would be wise to pass.

No matter what, Boozer should be welcomed with open arms here in LA. His cost effective deal and ability to contribute will be a welcome sight for Lakers fans. Last season, Pau Gasol got some flack from fans, but he wouldn’t have gotten that if he was on a much smaller contract. How we view players is relative to their contract, and Boozer should end up on Lakers’ fans good side.