Report: Boozer likely to wait for season to start, try to land with playoff team

For the first time since 2001-02, an NBA season is set to open without a bearded and tattooed man screaming "And-1!" after every field goal attempt.

Carlos Boozer will likely begin the 2015-16 season as a free agent, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports, citing league sources. Boozer's plan at present is to wait for the season to begin, then land with a playoff team as a fit becomes apparent, according to Wojnarowski.

Several Chinese teams have registered interest, ESPN's Marc Stein reported last week, and that may represent an option for Boozer given Wojnarowski's report. The Chinese season ends early enough that Boozer could return to the NBA and still be playoff-eligible. Players of Boozer's ilk have generally earned seven figures on one-year deals in China, and he could approach a salary near the $1.5-million NBA veteran minimum.

An unrestricted free agent, Boozer was linked to the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, and his most recent team, the Los Angeles Lakers early in the summer. Rumors tying him to any specific team have quieted down significantly since.

The Lakers claimed Boozer off of amnesty waivers last July after the Chicago Bulls released him in the final year of his contract. The 33-year-old power forward still showed utility on the offensive end, shooting 49.9 percent en route to averaging 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in 71 games. A two-time All-Star, Boozer has averaged 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds over 861 career games.