Wizards & Hornets Make Trade

[CharlotteHornets]

Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza to Washington Wizards for Rashard Lewis and #46 pick in the draft. I believe it now safe to say that New Orleans will be keeping their #10 pick since they did not need to use it to get someone to take on Okafor and Ariza's contract.

[DashGlobal]

yea it would be stupid for NO to get rid of their 10th pick.

They will be able to choose between some really nice players at 10

[Black]

Kind of a head scratcher for the Wizards. They take on two longer contracts without getting the tenth pick.

[isguros]

I like the trade, it's good for both teams

[akaseinfeld]

I think this trade increases the value of the Bobcats #2 pick. Okafor and Ariza basically eliminate the Wizards from drafting Robinson or MKG at #3, which would lead one to believe they are targeting Brad Beal. Thus any team below #3 that covets Beal, now knows they have to get the #2 pick from the Bobcats if they want him.

[cltblkhscoach]

Excellent point aka, unless they'd plan on bringing Ariza off the bench, which I'm sure is their backup plan if we trade with someone else that wants Beal. Also balances their young roster with some veteran help. Lewis must be in the last year of his deal, that's the only way it makes sense for NO.

Cleveland should be on the phone with us right now....

[ammofan]

Great trade for NO. They got alot of $ off the books.

I don't know why WAS did this tho. Pretty much locks them into taking Beal at 3 now.

[CamoAmmo35]

Good trade for both sides..

[CatNation1]

I hate it for washington. I guess they sick of tanking.

[Black]

If I was Washington, I would have demanded one of two things. Either New Orleans includes the tenth pick, or they take Blatche in the deal.

[isguros]

I don't know why WAS did this tho. Pretty much locks them into taking Beal at 3 now.

maybe they want Beal, in that case it's a great trade, because now they'll have:

C - Okafor
PF - Nene
SF - Ariza
SG - Beal
PG - Wall

[spectre]

Wow...steal for NOLA. They offloaded their 2 worst contracts and actually got positive assets out of it.

[superb1]

I think this trade increases the value of the Bobcats #2 pick. Okafor and Ariza basically eliminate the Wizards from drafting Robinson or MKG at #3, which would lead one to believe they are targeting Brad Beal. Thus any team below #3 that covets Beal, now knows they have to get the #2 pick from the Bobcats if they want him.

wonder if the trade rumors from last week for our #2 resurface. maybe everyone won't think we are asking too much now

[MadBOBCATfanUK]

New Orleans managed to get the biggest expiring contract in the league for a glorified role player and a centre with no offensive game.