LAC A Threat?

[spectre]

Obviously the big news is Brand supposedly agreeing to a deal with the Sixers, basically leaving LAC and Baron Davis high and dry. Their last offer was 5/75 and they said they could renounce enough to top 80 million...but Brand and his agent only have love for Philly.

LAC is now desperate and the two remaining RFAs of significance are Josh Smith and Emeka Okafor. ATL has said they'll match any offer...no comment from Bobcats' management. Jordan said after the draft that he thought the contract offered last year (guessing...5/60) was more than fair and sounded somewhat disgruntled that Mek didn't take it.

I don't think we'd match a 5/70 offer from LAC.

Suddenly Nazr is our only C/PF who's a legit starter (realistically he'd be 6th man). No way can we compete for a playoff spot being in that position.

What do we do?

If we let Mek walk we should then suddenly be approx 12-13 million under the cap...so we have the ability to sign a FA, but who's left?

Biedrens of GSW.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/warriors/ci_9823495?nclick_check=1%27,%27152%27)

After their moves of signing Maggette for a ludicrous 5/50 deal and giving an offer sheet of 4 years/4+ million to Turiaf they'll only have 12 million before they hit the Luxury tax limit, and that's BEFORE they talk to Monta and Biedrens. Figure Monta is getting 10...that leaves only a little over 2 million before they hit luxury.

I think they figure to let Biedrens play for the qualifying offer. Remember they "gave" us Swish to stay under the luxury limit and I think their owner will do everything to keep from paying it. We offer Biedrens a 5/50-5/55 deal.

What do you guys think? I realistically don't know that Biedrens would be a downgrade.

[amour217]

If the clippers offer Okafor 5/70, then I don't think we match it...I'm not even sure we should. He turned down a good deal and I think we should offer him less. If we wants the money he should either take the lower offer or take a qualifying offer and play like the beast I know he can be.

[walkerl]

I think 5/40 is too much for Okafor. I pay for josh smith of Okafor anyday of the week.

[Keetch]

With Chris Kaman at Center, it doesn't really make sense for the Clippers to make an offer to Okafor, so of course it'll probably happen. I can't wait to see them start Emeka at PF.

Would Emeka be so desperate to get out of Charlotte that he'd sign a contract to play PF for Donald Sterling? If so...well then fine. They're all dumber than I gave them credit for.

I've been a big OK50 supporter since he got here, sometimes unreasonably so, watching Emeka brick 5 footers....so this should be very interesting. If he goes, he goes. To me it means that he just didn't want to be here. If he stays with a new long term contract...even better. We can put all this crap to rest.

If he doesn't get an offer from anyone and accepts the $7M to be unrestricted next year....well that would suck too. I wouldn't necessarily feel compelled to be an OK50 fan anymore.

Andris Biedrins is a nice player; but I'm thinking the Warriors will keep him.

[GoBobs]

Unless we can pull off a sign and trade which would be tricky ( I have always liked trading with the bulls for Noah, TT, two first round picks unprotected, and what ever other guys are needed to make the saliries work) then we pretty much have to match on Oak.

He is to good to let go for nothing. I am more worried about GSW or LAC driving the price up then I am sombody stealing him away from us. I think the right number for him is 67 mil but I would pay the full 84 rather then end up with nothing. Oak and the Bobs are only fighting over about 3 mil a year which is why the Nzar trade was so bad. (He is making like 6 mil a year)

[Alex]

If Emeka goes to the Clippers and we sign Biendrins then I think that's a pretty equal switch as far as I'm concerned. Biendrins was a 10 and 10 player at GSW even though he was pretty much the 4th or 5th option on offense and he's also a career 61% FG shooter.

I would like Emeka to stay but I wouldn't blame him if he decides to go to LA and take the bigger contract.

[Icky Thump]

Do not let him go for nothing... and I'm saying that having not really liked his play for us. At the very least sign him to whatever it takes and trade him for something. We've let every team walk all over us in deals and let the deals go by while doing nothing as it is... don't let this be another case of that.

[spectre]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9412

Hoopsworld...and just one writer's opinion.

[Icky Thump]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9412

Hoopsworld...and just one writer's opinion.




This kind of disrespect is why it's so hard to garner any real fans. Most people don't want to have to be associated with a team that is constantly looked at like the plague by the players and a joke by the media and by the league in general.... WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THIS.



Given the future contract commitments already made to Gerald Wallace and Jason Richardson, the Cats might be better off cutting their losses than paying big money to a player who doesn't want to be there. And yes, that effectively ends the Cats in the playoffs in 2009 talk.




Okafor gets criticized a lot - mostly for not being Dwight Howard, which is hardly his fault – but the reality is most people don't get a chance to see him play because of his being a Bobcat. If they saw him play, their opinion would undoubtedly change for the better.

Yeah cause Okafor has in reality been an amazing player :rolleyes: ... its the team around him that has caused him to be injured a good bit and then play like crap... If they had not ignored most our games they would see that in reality our post play has been our weakness and Okafor really hasnt helped on that end much.

Now again, I'm not a huge Okafor fan at this point but he has value (as you can see here) to the rest of the league... we better get something out of this and I don't see signing him to max and keeping him as the answer either.

[dnbman]

So, the big question is, do we match if/when he gets an offer?

My opinion: if we think we have the core of our players, even if they need more development, connected to our organization right now, then we have to match. If we don't feel that we have the core, then we let him go to LA.

If we sign him, we're not going to have much in the way of extra dollars for free agents in the future, meaning we'd be committed to improvement through the draft, trading, and the MLE. If we think Ajinca is the missing forward and we're set everywhere else, it makes sense to pay Okafor the contract and keep everyone intact.

If we think we're still missing the right big, we may need to sign and trade him for the picks and cash. It's tough to let a productive player walk when you're an already struggling franchise like ours. However, Okafor's contract is going to have a huge effect on our roster from here on out. We better make sure it's to our benefit.

[countryboi]

i say we hope the clippers sign meka then we match it and lock him up lock term like the cavs did us....long as its not insane....which the clippers may just do

[MattD]

Yeah cause Okafor has in reality been an amazing player :rolleyes: ... its the team around him that has caused him to be injured a good bit and then play like crap... If they had not ignored most our games they would see that in reality our post play has been our weakness and Okafor really hasnt helped on that end much.

Now again, I'm not a huge Okafor fan at this point but he has value (as you can see here) to the rest of the league... we better get something out of this and I don't see signing him to max and keeping him as the answer either.


as much as I dont like to say it, mek does offer our team 1 thing that no one else does. Interior defense. Hes not bad, and wed be screwed without him. Nazr as starting center? Duds at starting PF? Thats is one very weak frontcourt. We need mek to hold down. Or we need to get someone who can hold down.

doesnt have to score, think turriaf, think mikki moore. someone who is physical. I personally have a crush on Sean Williams and think hes a ben wallace type beast, just a bit less physical. He and a mobile center (cough anjinca, cough) would be pretty good.

whatever happened to the boozer okafor starting frontcourt, that would have been dirty.

without mek though, in our current situation, we are in deep shit.

the good thing though, is we could try and arrange a S&T. Can you say trade exception? Huge. 12 million trade exception would be beautiful.

[ziggy]

In my opinion, If the Clips make an offer then we absolutely HAVE to match it... Unless someone can tell me a realistic way that we can replace what he provides on the defensive end of the court.

Emeka isn't the best player that we have, but hes easily the most irreplaceable.

[BIGCatBobcat]

This whole conversation kind of makes me want to throw up. I really don't like our team without Okafor. I hope we don't become the forgotten team that has good players until it comes time for big contracts and then they move on to bigger better things. Wait, that's what the Clippers were until they signed Brand and Baron Davis, now they are letting Brand go, what makes people think they will fill that hole?

I hate the Clippers, I think they are 2nd fiddle in LA always will be, barely exist nationally, tease everyone every few years when they luck into something good and they have a bad owner who cares more about profits than wins. That said, they do have the cap space and the need and we have the player on a restricted free agent basis. I don't think the guy on hoopsworld has any actual knowledge, he's just speculating like all of us as to why OK50 isn't signed long term and sees the puzzle pieces that would easily fall in place if it weren't Charlotte and LAC.

I just hope we don't do one of 2 things: Let him walk without a fight or blow our wad on him (if it's possible with our cap space) and throw a ridiculous contract at him.

Again, I feel picked on somehow by the league...or like we have a front office. I'm going to throw up now.

[TheBeagle]

I might as well mentio it again for the 30th time since last January: this is the biggest off-season in the franchise's history. Even with the firing of Vincent (by the way, did you check out Bonnell's blog about how there was a limit to how many times the assitants could talk to him during a game? Excuse the language, but that motherfucker was insane....moreso than we even realized!!) and the hiring of LB, and the draft, there's obviously lots of decisions left to be made, decisions that will impact this team for the long haul, and the Mek situation may be the key.

Like DNB says, if we match a near max offer sheet that LAC or GSW is rumoured to be putting together, the Charlotte Bobcats roster is effectively set in stone for the next 4 years with little to no wiggle room. That could be good, but lots of things are going to have to go our way in terms of being injury free and having the guys grow under LB and Co.'s tutledge for that to happen. Even though 80% of that hoopsworld article was more anti-Bobcats propoganda, I really do question Mek's desire to be in Charlotte; if that's the case, I really don't want him here. Heck, maybe that's why he plays so half-assed and disinterested for games at a time during the season...

Being that we're viewed as a black hole in the NBA, I really really don't want to have to rely on trying to convince someone to come here via free angency, such as Biedrins, should Mek sign elsewhere. If he goes for big bucks with our blessings, a sign and trade must occur. The worst case scenario, worse than matching a max offer for Mek and being cap hostage for years to come, is letting him go for nothing. Then again, a morose Mek in Charlotte may be the worse scenario. Maybe getting rid of a guy who doesn't want to be on the team will bring the remaining players closer and unite under LB and Co. and be the most fun Bobcats team to pull for ever! I don't know, but I'm looking forward to all the twist and turns that will come.

[Woodie]

I do believe the team values Okafor higher than some fans do, and I don't see any way LB would sign off on losing our only real inside presence over a few million dollars. He's only here for the short term, so is not going to be as concerned with down the road cap issues...he wants to win now, not build a winner for the next coach. Also, since he's here for such a short time, he doesn't have time to completely reshape the roster. And after his embarrasing time with the knicks, I'm sure he feels he has something to prove, and that wouldn't happen with the massive void in an Okafor-less middle.

Therefore, I think we absolutely will match any offer for Okafor. I believe the reason we haven't heard much about the team's negotiations with him so far is because they are letting Okafor determine his market value. They probably don't think it will be as high as EO50 and his agent do, so are willing to risk letting them find out. But even if they lose that risk, I think they will be willing to pay it. At worst, they probably felt they would pay about what they offered last year, however, Bogut's new contract might up that amount a bit. But, I think that is probably the ceiling. I don't see Jordan willing to sign off on a max contract for EO50, no matter how hard LB lobbies him.

[Dead_Real]

In my opinion, If the Clips make an offer then we absolutely HAVE to match it... Unless someone can tell me a realistic way that we can replace what he provides on the defensive end of the court.

Emeka isn't the best player that we have, but hes easily the most irreplaceable.
I agree 100% with both statements you make Zig I don't even want to think about how soft we would be in the paint without Mek.

[Woodie]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9412

Hoopsworld...and just one writer's opinion.
First of all, from what I have heard, that $81 million offer the Clips were prepared to offer Brand involved some serious manipulations of their roster. Basically, it was a desperation move to try and keep a player they had built their roster around (and probably had a wink, wink deal in place when he opted out). While I'm sure they still feel desperate to fill that void, I don't think Okafor would instill that level of must-have desperation. They might be willing to go high, but not to the levels they were for a higher level player in Brand.

Second of all, the writer seems to be unaware of EO50's struggles trying guard the more athletic PF's that are the current trend in the NBA. He's just not a very good defender on the perimeter. He's excellent as a goalie around the basket, but don't let him wander out too far.

Thirdly, the only rationale he gives for Okafor not wanting to be in Charlotte is that he didn't sign the extension last year, and hasn't signed yet this year. Well, I guess he wasn't aware that EO50 was on the verge of signing last year, but changed his mind at the last minute. While that might be an indication of a player that is rethinking his future value, it's not the actions of someone that doesn't like it here and wants out...you don't get to the verge of signing in a place you don't want to be (at least not if you're someone as intelligent and thoughtful as Okafor is).

As for this year, it is my belief that everyone involved wants to gauge his market value before making a deal. Also, I do think he was somewhat scarred by Vincent last year, and wants to get a better read on LB before committing to play for him for the next several years. I expect how LB handles the team during the summer league will go a long way in doing that. So while it is certainly possible that EO50 doesn't want to be here, the writer has absolutely no base for is assertion.

Finally, I just find it a bit ironic (and humorous) that he says that if more people saw Okafor play that their opinion of him would change for the better. Yet, if HE had watched him play more, he would realize that Okafor is a Center, not a PF, and would probably not be an ideal fit next to Kaman.

[BIGCatBobcat]

Mek is the face of the franchise in my opinion. Hell he was voted best looking man in Charlotte or something a couple years ago. He is like Gerald, and original Bobcat and therefore special in my mind and one of the pillars of the franchise. I've seen several guys on this and other threads say that he's not worth more than $13mil. Well the NBA sort of sets the market with similar players. Bogut signed for $14.9/year. That sets the market for young defensive big men. Brand signed for $16.4/year. Okafor isn't near Brand...offensively but he's younger, and hasn't had a good coach yet. I just say match the offer sheet, if he's offered one. Didn't the Clippers renounce 4 players including Livingston today? Are they just happy to have Kaman Baron Davis and all their rookies from the past 2 years? I think their history points to letting it be, not trying to get up around the cap. I don't know what they will offer Okafor is what I'm saying all I know is we need to match it.

[sjcollin]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3482423

[dnbman]

First of all, ....
[COLOR=#5e5e5e][FONT=Verdana]Finally, I just find it a bit ironic (and humorous) that he says that if more people saw Okafor play that their opinion of him would change for the better. Yet, if HE had watched him play more, he would realize that Okafor is a Center, not a PF, and would probably not be an ideal fit next to Kaman.




Pretty much agree with all of that. I think the writer was assuming a lot of things about Okafor's relationship with the organization based on Okafor's relationship with Sam Vincent, which seemed strained to say the least. Okafor seems to be the kind of guy who operates best when he believes in the vision of the leadership. Clearly, last year our leadership had no vision. Clearly, they have a better vision this year, even if some of us have questioned it in the form of draft criticism.

My guess is that we match the offer on Okafor, and he flourishes under Brown. I think his offensive game will shine, though will never be the reason you pay him big dollars. While I'm a little scared at who we play as a PF, I'm pretty content to lock up Okafor.

We just better get something significant out of either Davidson or Ajinca soon.

[MattD]

apparently we want him back.

"LAS VEGAS -- Larry Brown has big plans for Emeka Okafor. The new Charlotte Bobcats coach is hoping he'll get to work with him.


Okafor
With contract talks involving the restricted free agent moving slowly, Brown made it clear Thursday it's important the Bobcats keep their starting big man.

"I hope that it works out because I was with him a little while and he's a terrific kid," said Brown, who coached Okafor on the 2004 U.S. Olympic team. "He plays a position that's very hard to find. And he's the second pick in the draft. I'm sure we'll do what's right. Hopefully he'll be here."

Okafor turned down a contract offer from Charlotte last summer worth more than $12 million a year. The second overall pick in the 2004 draft then averaged 13.8 points and 10.7 rebounds while playing all 82 games last season.

The negotiating period started July 1, and teams could begin signing players on Wednesday. But the two sides were far from a deal Thursday. Okafor's agent, Jeff Schwartz, is out of the country this week and unavailable for comment.

While the Bobcats can match any offer from another team, the Los Angeles Clippers have plenty of salary-cap space and are looking for a big man after losing free agent Elton Brand to Philadelphia. However, the Clippers could pursue another available big man, Atlanta's Josh Smith, instead.

Center Andrew Bogut's new five-year, $60.0 million deal with Milwaukee could also drive up Okafor's price. Bogut, the top overall pick in the 2005 draft, also has $12 million in possible bonuses built into the contract.

Bobcats center Ryan Hollins, participating in the Brown-coached Bobcats minicamp this week on the UNLV campus, said Okafor is working out on his own in New York. It's expected Okafor will wait to see what offers come in from other teams before making a decision.

"This is the business side of it," Hollins said. "We hope he's back."

Brown said he hasn't talked to Okafor in a couple of weeks. He's leaving the negotiating to general manager Rod Higgins. Managing partner Michael Jordan is also involved.

Okafor could also sign a one-year qualifying offer with the Bobcats worth $7.1 million. While that would be much less than he was offered last year, it would allow Okafor to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Brown just wants Okafor on his roster as he begins his ninth NBA head coaching job. Brown envisions the 6-foot-10 Okafor continuing to play both center and power forward and anchoring the defense with his shot-blocking ability.

"He's certainly mobile enough and athletic enough to play out on the perimeter," Brown said. "He's strong enough to play inside. So we'll hopefully figure it out. ... You hate to lose assets."

Notes
Hollins said he was still experiencing dizziness Thursday, a day after sustaining a concussion in a nasty collision with G Mustafa Shakur in the morning practice. Hollins, who also needed six stitches to close a wound above his right eye, is scheduled to see a doctor Friday. He's out indefinitely. ... The Bobcats play the first of five summer-league games Saturday against the Clippers. ... Jordan is expected in town next week to watch the team. He's playing in a celebrity golf tournament this week."

[ReesieNCPantherCatfan1]

Bogut's signing will definately drive the price up for mek. If you look at their stats from last year they are almost identical, except Bogut is 2 years younger than mek (but at 24 and 26 next season its a wash), and a better passer. I am sure that Mek sees this contract as the benchmark, and he will probably get more than we offered last year b/c of a lack of quality bigs.

Mek must've watched Rashard Lewis file for free agency last year and get a ridiculous contract. Maybe it wasn't a bad move financially on Mek's part looking at Bogut's contract, and it only takes 2 teams to be in competition to drive the price higher. If he doesn't want to be in Charlotte, I just hope we get something for him.