Miami, New Jersey and Chicago have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent Carlos Boozer and are in the process of scheduling meetings with him on or after July 1, according to league sources. New York is also expected to reach out to the Jazz's two-time All-Star.
The Utah forward is second among big men, behind Chris Bosh, on the wish list of Miami, which is hoping to bring together the powerful triumvirate of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Bosh.
Boozer is an established inside scoring threat, averaging 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds with the Jazz this season.
In addition to his on-court production, teams are interested in Boozer because he could come cheaper than Suns forward Amare Stoudemire. Stoudemire views himself as a max-salary player, but few teams agree.
On the other hand, clubs believe they can get Boozer for multiple years at a contract beginning around $13 million a year, according to sources.
Chris Broussard is a senior writer at ESPN The Magazine.