Both players signed offer sheets with the Jazz on July 14, which was the first day that teams were able to begin signing players. Boozer and Okur both received lucrative multi-year contracts from Utah. The Cavaliers and Pistons had 15 days to match the offers, but decided to allow the players to move on with their careers.
The 22-year-old Boozer, who will be playing for the United States in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, averaged 15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds in 75 games for the Cavaliers in 2003-04. Originally selected out of Duke by Cleveland in the second round (35th overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft, Boozer also had a solid rookie campaign as he averaged 10 points and 7.5 boards in 81 contests.
"It’s really exciting, I’m really thrilled to be here and finally ink the deal down and move forward as being a member of the Utah Jazz," said Boozer.
Boozer’s signing created a lot of controversy, as he was rumored to have made a commitment to Cleveland to sign a long-term contract with the Cavaliers if they allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent. Such an agreement is not allowed in the NBA and if a franchise committed this act it would be subject to substantial penalties.
"There was no commitment, it’s unfortunate how it went through the media but I’m really excited to be in the situation I’m in," said Boozer. "They (Cleveland) moved forward, I moved forward and I’m looking forward to the season with the Jazz. It’s against the rules fist of all to have (an agreement). I’m not a guy that gives my word and then takes it away, I think I made that clear."
The Duke product is a great fit for Utah, as he will add the inside presence that the Jazz lacked last season. Boozer will most likely star at power forward, with All-Star Andrei Kirilenko at small forward and Okur at center. Joining an up-and-coming frontcourt had to make signing with the Jazz appealing to the former Cavalier.
"To be honest - everything (attracted him to Utah)," said Boozer. "They have a legendary coach (Jerry Sloan), a great organization of course, and really good players. Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Arroyo, Matt Harpring, Mehmet Okur, (Gordon) Giricek, I mean the list goes on. We have a great system, just a great environment. It seems like a really family oriented city which is really attractive to me, with my personal situation."
The 25-year-old Okur, who was originally selected by Detroit in the second round (38th pick overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft, has started 42 games in his two years in the league. He also played in 39 playoffs games as a member of the Pistons.
In 2003-04, Okur played in 71 contests for the world champion Pistons and averaged 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in a little over 22 minutes per game. In 2002-03, which was his first season in the NBA, Okur appeared in 72 contests and netted 6.9 points and pulled down 4.9 boards in 19 minutes per game. By signing with the Jazz, the 6-11 Okur will get the opportunity to start and play significant minutes.
"Mehmet and I spent a lot of time talking about what was best for Mehmet’s career," said Okur’s agent Marc Fleisher. "Obviously he had the wonderful experience of winning a championship in Detroit. I’ve represented a lot of players for a long time, most of them have never had that opportunity. But I think that Mehmet realized that with that now under his belt there were a lot of other things he wanted to achieve and perhaps the best place for him do that was here (Utah). The style that’s played here, the makeup of the team, there were a lot of factors that went into this decision. We sort of bantered it back and forth and it all sort of fit into place and we realized that this was a place for him to spend the next several years here. And I’m happy that Kevin (O’Connor) and I were able to reach an agreement relatively quickly. I think we both understood what it was going to take to get it done, and we were able to accomplish that. So I’m thrilled and I think Mehmet’s thrilled, "Mehmo" as you all will learn to call him soon, so we’re happy that he’s going to be here."
Okur and Boozer give Utah some much needed size down low. The Jazz hope that Okur will not only rebound, but that he will also be able to score from the low post, which is something that the Jazz were not able to do consistently in 2003-04.
"I’m so excited right now and I picked Utah because I liked the way they played last year and I like the coach a lot," said Okur. "I like Kirilenko, we used to play against each other in Europe. I know Gordan (Giricek), (Raul) Lopez, (Carlos) Arroyo and I’m so excited right now, I can’t wait to play with them. If you look at last year I had good experience, I had great career with Detroit, and I came here and I bring experience. I can’t wait to play with them, I’d like to thank everybody here who supports me."
If the Jazz do nothing else in the offseason, Utah fans have to be thrilled with the team that they will watch play in 2004-05. Boozer and Okur give the Jazz, who finished 42-40 and missed the playoffs by just one game last season, a serious chance at returning to the postseason. Boozer and Okur are young and have a lot of productive years in the NBA left. Cleveland and Detroit’s loss, is Utah’s gain.
"I hope we can win a championship, that’s my goal," said Boozer. "And from talking to everybody in the organization that’s everybody else’s goal here too. So that’s our goal whether it’s next year, whether it’s three or four years, whenever it is - that’s our goal."
Utah Jazz 
