Barkley: Boozer is Utah's Problem

Charles Barkley believes that forward Carlos Boozer is the reason why the Jazz have been so up-and-down this season.

"(The Jazz) are a decent team," Barkley said on TNT during Thursday night's broadcast. "But they have to do something about Carlos Boozer."

Barkley didn't specific what that "something" was, but the Deseret News writes that one can figure "trade" if you read between the lines.

"They know they are not going to re-sign him," Barkley said of the Jazz. "Carlos Boozer started it last year when he said he was opting out of his contract. That offended the Jazz and the people of Salt Lake and now he is going to be a free agent. So now they are going through the motions this year because Boozer is not going to be there ... next year."

Barkley continued when asked by TNT host Ernie Johnson whether the Jazz and Boozer's teammates were thinking about anything beyond this season.

"Yes, that is one reason Carlos Boozer has been inconsistent. You can't fake energy and effort," Barkley responded. "He knows he is not going to be there next year. Everyone in Utah knows it; everyone on that team knows it."

Boozer is averaging 20.7 points and 11.1 rebounds this season.