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Carlos Boozer Is Heading Overseas For 2016-17

By Kenneth Teape

Feb 25, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Carlos Boozer (5) reacts during the second half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Lakers won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Carlos Boozer (5) reacts during the second half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Lakers won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA veteran Carlos Boozer will be heading to China to continue his professional career, as he was unable to land a deal with an NBA team this summer.

Carlos Boozer has had a good NBA career, averaging 16.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in 810 games, shooting 52.1 percent from the field.

Those are even more impressive knowing Boozer was a second-round pick that worked hard and made himself into an All-Star player, being named to the game in consecutive seasons in 2007 and 2008.

But, there comes a time in every player’s career that they have to accept their fate and move on. That time seems to have come for Boozer, who at age 34 looks like he will be heading overseas to continue his basketball career.

After not playing in the NBA during the 2015-16 season, Boozer will be heading to China for the 2016-17 season. International pro basketball reporter David Pick first reported the news, as he said that Boozer met with the head coach of the Guangdong Tigers in the United States.

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It has been a little while since we have seen Boozer on a professional basketball court, but that was not for a lack of interest in playing. Boozer tried to latch on with an NBA team since he became a free agent in the summer of 2015, but was unable to find any takers.

The New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks had interest in signing Boozer last offseason, but nothing came to fruition.

There wasn’t much free agent money left to be had at that point in the summer and Boozer had his sights set on specific teams; he was waiting things out so that he could sign with a playoff contender. But, that offer never came and he ended up sitting out the entire season.

Boozer did have meetings with the Milwaukee Bucks in December and January, as they were in the market to add a veteran to their team.

But, nothing came of those meetings either, as Boozer didn’t have any more meetings throughout the end of the season and remained away from the game.

Earlier this summer, Boozer set his sights on returning to the NBA, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. Boozer was hoping to land a role on the end of the bench as a mentor for young players.

"“The previous season with the Lakers was a tough year. Kobe Bryant got hurt, Steve Nash went down and we had a young group still learning to win. I ended up taking the next year off, spent time with my kids and family and right now my body feels great. I feel terrific. I have been working out hard all year, and I miss the game. I want to play again.”"

Once again, Boozer and his agent, Rob Pelinka, were targeting teams that he could bring some leadership to, in addition to his skill set.

"“I’ve been in the league for 13 years, and played in All-Star Games and been part of a gold-medal team in the Olympics [in 2008], and I think that I can be a help in a mentoring role,” Boozer continued. “I think I can help some younger guys. I’ve played against Karl Malone and Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan and picked up a lot of things that can be helpful to young guys. I really like the opportunity of having a role on a team where I can give back on the knowledge that I’ve gained through the years.”"

Once again the market was dry, as Boozer will now be heading overseas to play in China. This may not be what he envisioned for himself when free agency began, but it could be the best way for him to get back into the NBA.

If Boozer can play well in China and show that he still has some gas left in the tank, a contending team could give him a shot upon the season ending. The Chinese Basketball Association season ends before the NBA season does, so he could latch on with a team for the stretch run of the season.

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We have seen it happen in previous years, with players such as J.R. Smith, Wilson Chandler and Dorell Wright playing in China to start the season and ending it with an NBA team.

At that point in the season, Boozer could join the bench for a playoff team if he shows that he still has something to bring to the table.

Boozer played in 71 games with the Los Angeles Lakers in his last season in the NBA, averaging 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 23.8 minutes per game.