Carlos Boozer told the ESPN radio affiliate in Chicago the Jazz are going to trade him “relatively soon.”
The Post’s Marc Berman reported today that the Knicks are interested in trading for the Jazz power forward.
“I had a conversation with the Jazz and the Jazz told me they wanted to go in a different direction,” Boozer told Waddle and Silvy on WMVP-AM (1000). “And I respected their decision and we mutually agreed to work out a deal that will be beneficial for me and my family and them.”
Boozer is in the final year of his contract, but said he would be open to signing an extension with his new team. If the Knicks pulled off a trade for Boozer, they would have his Larry Bird Rights.
Boozer said he was open to recruiting free agents in 2010, including close friend Dwyane Wade.
“Me and D-Wade are very, very close,” said Boozer, who became friends with the Heat guard when they played together on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. “We talk quite a bit, but that’s a decision he’ll have to make by himself. … D-Wade’s like me, though. We both want to win a championship very, very bad and if we were both on the Bulls we’d have to be on the top of the list.”
Boozer was non-committal when asked if the Bulls were his top choice.
“We’ll see what happens. If it happens (traded to Chicago), I’d be very happy,” Boozer said.