The Chicago Bulls tried to take the cheaper route by placing Carlos Boozer on the NBA Trade Rumor mill, but no cigar. If they want to improve their team, they need to use the amnesty provision.

According to the Chicago Sun Times, the idea that the Bulls are 'thinking about it' is already past. The amnesty is a done deal:  

"A source said Wednesday that Boozer's departure is a "done deal," adding that Boozer's camp already has been informed.

There haven't been any takers on a sign-and-trade for Boozer, and the Bulls also want the money to go in a different direction, whether Carmelo Anthony is in the mix or not.

Under the amnesty provision, Boozer still will be paid the $16.8 million he's due next season, but it won't count against the salary cap."

Is that something the Bulls' notoriously frugal owner would consider?

"There was a minority opinion that chairman Jerry Reinsdorf wouldn't want to pay a player and get nothing in return, but that's not the case. The Bulls think the time to make a run in the Eastern Conference is now, and that can't be accomplished with Boozer on the roster."

Can other teams sign him for a cheaper price? Larry Coon's CBA FAQ answers:

"But amnesty is different from the normal waiver process in that it allows teams to make either a full or partial waiver claim. When a team makes a full waiver claim it acquires the player, assumes his full contract, and pays all remaining salary obligations (and the waiving team has no further salary obligation to the player).

Full waiver claims have precedence over partial waiver claims -- if one team makes a full waiver claim and another makes a partial waiver claim, the team making the full waiver claim is awarded the player. If multiple teams make full waiver claims, the player is awarded to the team with the worst record."

The Lakers or Celtics have a good chance to acquire Boozer as they hardly have a roster in place. They need to wait for the official go-signal.