Contrary to speculation, the Chicago Bulls reportedly do not intend to trade Carlos Boozer or amnesty him in the summer. Milwaukee Bucks guard Luke Ridnour, meanwhile, is said to be drawing interest from the Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Chicago was thought to be either planning to use their amnesty clause on Boozer, who's due $16.8 million next season, or trying to trade him ahead of the deadline in order to create salary cap room to pursue Knicks star Carmelo Anthony.
TNT's Craig Sager, however, reported Boozer may still be in a Chicago uniform - at least until his contract expires after next season if Chicago can't land a big-name free agent.
"After Luol Deng was traded to Cleveland earlier this year, Boozer began to wonder about his own future with the team," Sager said on Thursday, via BasketballInsiders.com "He told me tonight that he has been assured that he will not be traded by next week's deadline, nor will the team buy out the final (year) of his contract this summer unless they can land a superstar which is too good to pass up."
Ridnour's name popped up this week as a player who may be dealt before the trade deadline.
"Several teams have called Milwaukee about point guard Luke Ridnour, including Washington and Sacramento, a league source said" CBS Sports' Ken Berger wrote on Friday. "The Bucks are also fielding calls about their young players, as teams are dubious that owner Herb Kohl is serious about going through the pain of a youth movement."
The trade deadline is on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
