By K.C. Johnson, Tribune reporter
4:23 p.m. CDT, July 17, 2014
Carlos Boozer has a new home and a new conference.
Returning to the Western Conference he once dominated for the Utah Jazz, Boozer landed with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday afternoon when the Lakers posted the highest bid in the amnesty waiver process.
The Bulls used the amnesty provision on Boozer on Tuesday. Teams with salary-cap space were allowed to post blind bids before Thursday's 4 p.m. Central deadline. The team with the highest bid claimed Boozer and offset the $16.8 million the Bulls owe him for next season.
The Bulls engaged in sign-and-trade talks with the Lakers throughout free agency in an attempt to land Pau Gasol with Boozer's expiring contract.
The Lakers have Jordan Hill and rookie Julius Randle at power forward. Boozer averaged 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds for the Bulls last season while having his playing time reduced significantly by coach Tom Thibodeau.
"I know I can play at a high level," Boozer told the Tribune last month. "My body feels great. I still have 30-35 minutes a night in me and can average a double-double or close to it. I’m excited about the next chapter."
