Carlos Boozer is considered to be the biggest fish the Utah Jazz ever caught in free agency. Because Utah has never been considered a free agent destination, getting someone like Boozer, who proved his talent two years into his NBA career beforehand, was a milestone.
The details behind that move were notoriously sketchy, but Boozer became a Jazzman in 2004 and the rest was history. That's what makes Boozer's recent words all the more... baffling.
During his appearance on ESPN's Get Up the other day, Boozer suggested that Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo join Luka Doncic in LA to win, and this was just hours before the Bucks' rather embarrassing elimination at the hands of the Pacers.
Suggesting "Superstar X" join the Lakers is a cliche take as old as time, but to hear it from Boozer of all people is pretty jarring, considering that when he had the chance, Boozer joined a small-market team like the Jazz.
Not only that, but he passed on the chance of playing the majority of his prime with an all-timer, which is why his suggestion for Giannis is pretty off-putting.
Boozer chose the Jazz over LeBron James
Boozer played with rookie LeBron, and it was clear, even after just one year, that James was the next face of the NBA. Even if the Cavaliers didn't make the playoffs that year, the LeBron hurricane was coming, and Boozer was seen as his first partner-in-crime.
They were relatively the same age, and two of the NBA's most promising young talents circa 2004. LeBron and Boozer were supposed to usher in a new era of dominance in the East. That was until Boozer spurned the Cavaliers and joined the Jazz the following summer.
This is nothing against Boozer's tenure in Utah because getting him was one of the biggest wins the Jazz have ever had in any offseason. He played a role in how tough the Jazz were in the latter half of the 2000s. He wasn't their best player, but he grew into a star in Utah, even making an All-NBA team in his six years there.
More importantly, Boozer has shouted out the Jazz's fanbase for how consistently passionate they were. What's so odd about his comments about where he thinks Giannis should go is that he's suggesting the Bucks star do the opposite of what Boozer did.
Boozer may have had a better NBA legacy had he spent his prime years with LeBron, as the two could have won multiple titles together. Still, he didn't want to ride James' coattails and went to a small market team that may have offered him more money, but also allowed him to write his own legacy.
There's no doubt Giannis needs a change of scenery. His time in Milwaukee has played out, and he deserves a new team. Going to LA would make everyone outside of LA roll their eyes, considering how often they've been bailed out by star players simply joining them.
And hey, if Giannis really wants to win, why not follow Boozer's direct path and join the Jazz? That may sound ridiculous after the season Utah just had, but if he wants out, and Milwaukee honors that request suddenly, the Jazz could have a pretty appealing offer for the Greek Freak.
It may not be the exact same scenario, but adding Giannis could help usher a new era for the Jazz much like adding Boozer did back in 2004.