Okafor

[LB4President]

The more I think about it the more I want him traded. Honestly he is a very solid and respectable player but he just doesn't make sense with Diaw here. I always want to pair Okafor with a big center and slide Okafor down to the four. Now that Diaw is here and has established himself as a legit 40 minute a night power forward, we either have to start Okafor as an undersized center or pay him 10 million a season to be a reserve. I think we should try to move him for another starting center. Diop isn't ready to start just yet. Who knows what improvement Larry Brown will make with him, but for now he is just a solid backup. I think Okafor is definitely worth ten million a year but not to be an undersized center. I think we need to shop him. I would say trade him for one of the Clippers bigs (Kaman) but then again they are looking to get rid of bigs right now.

Again I am not hating on Okafor and I wouldn't be disappointed if he returned for next season. I mean we did finish the season in a very positive fashion, but in order to make the team the best we possibly can I think it would be worthwhile to atleast explore the possibility of upgrading the frontcourt through an Okafor trade.

What do you guys think?

[dav7z]

The more I think about it the more I want him traded. Honestly he is a very solid and respectable player but he just doesn't make sense with Diaw here. I always want to pair Okafor with a big center and slide Okafor down to the four. Now that Diaw is here and has established himself as a legit 40 minute a night power forward, we either have to start Okafor as an undersized center or pay him 10 million a season to be a reserve. I think we should try to move him for another starting center. Diop isn't ready to start just yet. Who knows what improvement Larry Brown will make with him, but for now he is just a solid backup. I think Okafor is definitely worth ten million a year but not to be an undersized center. I think we need to shop him. I would say trade him for one of the Clippers bigs (Kaman) but then again they are looking to get rid of bigs right now.

Again I am not hating on Okafor and I wouldn't be disappointed if he returned for next season. I mean we did finish the season in a very positive fashion, but in order to make the team the best we possibly can I think it would be worthwhile to atleast explore the possibility of upgrading the frontcourt through an Okafor trade.

What do you guys think?


I just can't think of a tradable option thet would upgrade over Mek long term. Clipps has said they want to keep Kaman, Wallace from the Pistons wouldn't help long term .
I just don't see to many tradable up grades . But im not saying it's not any i just can't think of any.

[Dcarnys]

Thats my thing with trading Mek. Not that I wouldnt welcome a trade but I want somthing for him.

[jazzer89]

If we coupled him with the 12th to move up and grap thabeet would that make you happy?

[docend24]

No. 10ten10

[Chef]

If we coupled him with the 12th to move up and grap thabeet would that make you happy?

HELL NO! Are we really have the okafor debate again?

[SWedd523]

If we coupled him with the 12th to move up and grap thabeet would that make you happy?
I wouldn't really mind....

[LB4President]

Hypothetically yes. I really don't see that happening though. We would have to trade Okafor and the 12 to the Thunder in hopes that they could grab Curry at the 12.

[mrtarheel]

What about Okafor for Bynum and Sasha Vu?

[Keetch]

What I like about Okafor:

On defense he's strong and quick to gain position in the paint. He's fast in transition and easily beats slower opponents (and at Center there's plenty of them) up and down the court. On defense, he's underrated in the league and nearly elite status.

Orlando showed the Cavs huge front line, how size + quickness destroys big lumber. Okafor is of that capability.

What I don't like:

For all his athleticism and defensive talent; he remains amazingly mechanical on offense, lacking any great motivation to work for his points. If a shot or dunk is there he'll take it, but he's tentative to create. While he shows explosiveness on D, it often isn't evident on offense, which may simply be a lack of awareness and timing more than ability.

LB gave me a clue to Mek when he called him out on his "pilates and yoga", I think that Mek has found a key for himself for longevity and durability; but at a cost. I think this perspective in his career lacks great passion or willfullness to win. I'm not sure if he even likes playing professional basketball, or sees any great real value to it.

Thus the exasperating mechanical play. I think that's Emeka preserving himself, protecting himself, sort of the anti-Gerald Wallace. Heck, its working! He's surprised everyone and become a durable player. In the paint, one tends to dish out pain on defense; while taking it on offense. I don't think Emeka likes to take it.

Emeka is highly cerebral as well, which is great for your coach, but doesn't make for very great leadership qualities on the court. Okafor is very highly paid to not make "captain".

So would I trade him? Sure. But only for a very great opportunity. Our team is way too small on the frontline with Okafor and Diaw, but trading Emeka won't likely make us bigger. Diop is likely a trainwreck and can't be counted on. That's why I hope we can land a quality PF somewhere, but not at the expense of Okafor or Diaw for that matter.

[Keetch]

What about Okafor for Bynum and Sasha Vu?

That would qualify. But I doubt the Lakers are ready to give up on Bynum yet. That kind of size and skill set is very hard to find (unless you're LA, sigh). Bynum's still a work-in-progress. His upside is way too high for the Lakers to risk him on Okafor.

[Marvel]

I doubt the Lakers are willing to give up on Bynum he aint playing great but he will come right soon enough if that knee holds up.

[spectre]

What About Dalembert - Bonnell (http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2009/06/what-about-dalembert.html)

Dalembert/17th for Mek? Maybe throw in Singletary and Smith?

I really don't like Dalembert, but he does have only 2 years left vs. Mek's 5.

Eh.

[ExplosionsInTheSky]

I'm also not a huge Dalembert fan and if it were a Mek for Dalembert trade straight up than I would be rather hesitant (and an easy no if it weren't for his contract). Mek for Dalembert and the 17th, however, is something I think I would feel much better about. Hell, imagine if we could pickup both Clark and Williams in the first round, that would be nuts!

[GoBobs]

The only guys I would think about trading Oak for are Bosh or Chris Paul. Oak and Diaw is not a terrible pairing except when the other teams center is way bigger then Oak in which case we have to bring in Diop. If Ajinca becomes a badass which he likely will he would be the perfect forward to pair with oak at the center.

[LB4President]

I'm just saying with have over 20 million dollars investing in Diaw and Okafor. Both players would be tremendous starting fours but in terms of an honest to god center we have a good backup in Diop and Nazr who is demanding a trade. I think we should explore moving him to round out the roster. If you think about it Radmanovic can play four and so can Wallace. And I am down for Okafor for Dalembert trade. Atleast then we would have a center and one who LB likes. He could provide the same rebounding and blocks Okafor would. Maybe giving up a little on offense but his contract isn't nearly as long

[spectre]

Sam Smith: Armed with two first round picks, Bulls go to work (http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/smith_090608.html)


Larry Brown told the Charlotte Observer last week he was concerned about a possible ownership change with the team apparently for sale. Michael Jordan, of course, is mentioned prominently. But franchise sales in this market are difficult, and rather than continuing to take losses, some executives believe Charlotte will follow the Memphis model and "gift" someone Emeka Okofor because of his big contract and maintain a payroll that can break even until a buyer is found. ...

Cool...we're just gonna "gift" Mek away!

[jpf_v2.0]

Isn't that just lovely.

[Chef]

that's exactly what i meant a few weeks ago when i said i feel cheated as a fan. why are we even bothering to post ideas, trades and free agents on here if they are going to field a team from Major League.

[spectre]

From Coach Mike Moreau's chat on Hoopsworld (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=322):

John in Sherwood:
DO John Hammond and Scott Skiles still have high hopes for Alexander & Bogut? What did Skiles mean when he said Bogut needs to start taken leadership role? I think he needs more FGA (i say 12-15 per game)

http://www.hoopsworld.com/images/hw_icon.gif Mike Moreau:
I would think so. Both are young and talented. My guess is that Skiles wants Bogut to become more assertive, which means taking more responsibility for what happens on the floor and in the locker room. It's time for him to move from role player to impact player. That starts with being the hardest working guy in practice, demanding the ball, and being accountable for the won-loss record.



Mek...take note.

[teej]

That anecdote was from Sam SMith, who isn't very reputable and routinely puts up falseties. MJ and LB won't have any of the so-called gifting.

[millst2]

Teej, in a way I agree with your comment, but at the same time we all know how shitty an owner BJ is. No owner would give willingly their team a end of the season away schedule for 3-4 games in a row. Ridiculous.

BJ had a divorce and she milked his ass, so it would not surprise me if he did do something as stupid as giving away one of our high value contracts for nothing in return.

Gasol was traded for the same reasons ( not wanting to pay out much money) and we seen what that did for memphis. They have the worst attendance in the league.

I would hope we wouldn't just give away a player of value to keep the books in order. But I honestly think that BJ may do that so he doesn't have to pay out. A lot of the minority owners own a % of the team but they opted out to spend more to place solid players and luxury taxes. So I think MJ hooks up with Bird or some other interested owners and gets rid of the scrubs who don't want to pony up, get rid of BJ and make this team as solid as we know it is on track to be.

[BETCATS]

id be willing to trade Emeka if the right deal came along:

David Lee + 8th pick for Emeka + our 2 2nd round picks

Mark Gasol + another young player + Memphis's first round pick for Emeka + our first round pick

Minnesota's first round pick + Mike Miller for Emeka

Chicago's 2 first round picks for Emeka

Dalembert + Philly's first round pick + something else for Emeka

Id be fine with any of these.

[teej]

id be willing to trade Emeka if the right deal came along:

me too. any day. he's too weak for the NBA. my dad, who at first would only come to games because of Mek and Crash has finally decided that Mek is a pussy. When Mek's fans are turning on him, well, it's not a good sign.


David Lee + 8th pick for Emeka + our 2 2nd round picks

Mark Gasol + another young player + Memphis's first round pick for Emeka + Ray or DJ

Minnesota's first round pick + Mike Miller for Emeka

Chicago's 2 first round picks for Emeka

Dalembert + Philly's first round pick + something else for Emeka

Id be fine with any of these.

#1) maybe, but who's the starting center? Are you banking on Hill being there? And how much is Lee getting paid?

#2) fixed and I'm all for it!

#3) Once again, are we putting Diop and Naz out there? I don't like this.

#4) Maybe. ILBIT on that. I'm guessing one of them is BJ Mullens, and then we have insane depth. 4th spot in the east anyone? But that's our ceiling.

#5) I'm game.

Good thinking though.

[Weezy21]

I dont know if this idea has already been talked about in other threads but i was thinking bout a deal with the Thunder

Thunder get- Mek, 12th & 40th

Bobcats get- 3rd, 25th & Nenad Krstic

Reason Thunder do this- They KNOW what they are getting in Mek. So this means a garuntee of not drafting a bust. They get a great defender down low. Mek would do good in that offense because hes not depended on to score as much as we try to get him to. They still get the 12th and could grab a solid talent as well as the 10th pick in the 2nd round.

Reason we do it- First off just b4 yall say who the heck is Krstic, look him up. He's a 7 foot big who can be paired nice with Diaw. He's not a bad player at all. Then we have the 3rd pick to get rubio, curry, harden or trade for a good vet. We also still have a late 1st rounder.

We might need to throw in some players on both sides to get the salary to work

But what do you guys think about this? realistic?

[teej]

I dont know if this idea has already been talked about in other threads but i was thinking bout a deal with the Thunder

Thunder get- Mek, 12th & 40th

Bobcats get- 3rd, 25th & Nenad Krstic

Reason Thunder do this- They KNOW what they are getting in Mek. So this means a garuntee of not drafting a bust. They get a great defender down low. Mek would do good in that offense because hes not depended on to score as much as we try to get him to. They still get the 12th and could grab a solid talent as well as the 10th pick in the 2nd round.

Reason we do it- First off just b4 yall say who the heck is Krstic, look him up. He's a 7 foot big who can be paired nice with Diaw. He's not a bad player at all. Then we have the 3rd pick to get rubio, curry, harden or trade for a good vet. We also still have a late 1st rounder.

We might need to throw in some players on both sides to get the salary to work

But what do you guys think about this? realistic?

Depends on if Rubio's there at three, because we don't need Thabeet and anyone else is a reach for that money (that Bob J doesn't have). If they had the 5th pick, then I'd be more open, but maybe a scenario where we draft for each other?

[Weezy21]

Depends on if Rubio's there at three, because we don't need Thabeet and anyone else is a reach for that money (that Bob J doesn't have). If they had the 5th pick, then I'd be more open, but maybe a scenario where we draft for each other?

i kind of agree with u there...i think curry is definitely a reach...he's got that big IF about him...i was actually hoping we could land harden with the 3rd pick an then BPA at the 25th pick

[teej]

i kind of agree with u there...i think curry is definitely a reach...he's got that big IF about him...i was actually hoping we could land harden with the 3rd pick an then BPA at the 25th pick

I think even Harden is a reach at 3 he could very easily be available at 6-7

[SWedd523]

I think even Harden is a reach at 3 he could very easily be available at 6-7

but he's also the third best talent in this draft and would be amazing for us. The issue for me is do we take Mek Jr. if he's available since there's not any other good big talent and take one of the lower teir SGs with the 20?

A draft of Thabeet and Williams (assuming he falls to around 20) would be amazing in my book.

[JGib23]

I posted something similar in the Curry thread. I think an Emeka for the 3 pick would be win/win for both teams. if it took emeaka and 12 to get both of OKC's pick I would be all for it.... Shed salary and rebuild this team.

Like some have said before... We are just good enough to get into the playoffs in the 7th or 8th seed and get quickly eliminated.... Unload and reload time.

[Chef]

if you think mek is soft, just wait until you see thabeet in action. charmin.

[krazyrumpshaker]

Just my opinion on the trading Okafor discussion. I really like him, i think he is a hard worker and great defensive player. His offense in not that great, but possibly could get better with LB's coaching. But then again maybe not.

I think that the bobcats would get along fine if they traded him. We have 2 bigs in Diop and Mohammed that i think could be servicable in the loss of Okafor. Look at the Dallas Mavericks, they have not had a career superstar C in the several past seasons, and they have been one of the top teams in the league. And thats with Dampier and Diop as their centers. They relied on the other positions to carry them and then went to the Center by committee approach. I think it has worked out fine for them.

Have they won a championship with this formula, no. But i would welcome the success that they have had with it. Losing Okafor may be an initial blow, but if trading him for picks allows us to gain important players or frees up cap space to go after a good FA, then i am all for it.

[jpf_v2.0]

The problem with trading Emeka for draft picks is that he's a BYC until July 1st, meaning that he counts half of much outgoing for us as he would for another team incoming and there's currently no team under the cap enough to swallow that salary difference.

[BRNC]

The problem with trading Emeka for draft picks is that he's a BYC until July 1st, meaning that he counts half of much outgoing for us as he would for another team incoming and there's currently no team under the cap enough to swallow that salary difference.

...and that is why any speculation about trading him before the draft is a waste of time...no other team can take his contract until after July 1....

[spectre]

Not exactly true.

Memphis has about 5.5/6 million free, so they could do Mek for 3rd/Buckner. Buckner is only partially guaranteed (I don't know how much) so in the end it would basically be Mek for the 3rd pick.

You can also do bigger deals where the 125% would cover the difference...like in the 14-16 million range from each side. There's also TPEs out there. Denver has one from the Iverson trade of almost 10 million.

[BRNC]

spectre...agree if other players included...I was talking a sign and trade for picks which is what I thought was the intent...we all know how difficult sign and trade when other players are included but I agree 100% that with others included it would be possible...

[jpf_v2.0]

Yea, there's always TPE's and bigger deals, but I'm kind of scared that we'd get the shorter end of the stick.

I was thinking Memphis was closer to the cap than that. From the looks of it they have just under 5 mill from the cap so they could do it.

According to storyteller Buckner's partial guarantee is for $1,062,398.

[spectre]

I know BRNC, but as JPF pointed out (man you guys are fast!) that Memphis example would only have us taking back a million bucks...so that's almost straight up for a pick.

Kind of funny...here we are talking a top pick in the draft and because of Sam Smith's "gift" article the Bulls' & Raptors' forums have multipage threads on how they can get Mek for crap!

BTW, I agree it's very iffy moving Mek for space. We still wouldn't be under the cap (or not enough to matter) so we'd be looking at one MLE and possibly an LLE deal.

Still, Dyce & Harden (assuming he lives up to the Roy comparisons) is a pretty good return for Mek IMO.

JPF yeah, I doubt seriously I'd move him for just a TPE. To me that's not enough of an incentive (we'd be talking just Dyce and a middling FA in return).

[teej]

if you think mek is soft, just wait until you see thabeet in action. charmin.

Exactly. No reason to trade Mek if you're drafting Thabeet. He'd make Boris look like a man's man. We'd be screaming for Mek back.

[Weezy21]

ya please NO THABEET!!

[ALuhrs704]

if hasheem thabeet is soft, what does that make tyler hansboro???? wnba eligible?

[Chef]

tyler has a lot of flaws, but toughness is not one of them.

[SWedd523]

tyler has a lot of flaws, but toughness is not one of them.
This.










10char

[BigE102390]

if hasheem thabeet is soft, what does that make tyler hansboro???? wnba eligible?

How can you say Tyler Hansbrough is soft? Does he complain everytime he's knocked to the ground by bigger guys that are trying to intimidate him? NO! Did he lay on the ground and cry when Gerald Henderson broke his nose? NO! Did he miss any games after that game in which he broke his nose? NO! He would have never missed a game in his career if not for Roy Williams holding him out at the begining of the season for that hairline fracture. You're probably just a Duke fan that is sick and tired of him because he turned Cameron Indoor Stadium into Hansbrough Indoor Stadium! TYLER HANSBROUGH IS 100% BEAST!!!

[Chrystos]

Yeah I agree with him. But I hope we don't draft him.

[LB4President]

Called it! And I stand by my original post. This is a good trade. Now we won't have to start two power forwards. I can't wait to see Chandler run pick and roll with Augustine next season.

[Walt Cronkite]

Okafor is a center on offense and defense, I can't believe anyone sees him as a pf.

[dnbman]

Okafor is a center on offense and defense, I can't believe anyone sees him as a pf.

I completely agree. However, just because he is a center because of how he plays doesn't mean he doesn't have short comings as a center. Skill wise, he was a center. Size and athleticism wise, he was a PF.

I'm not saying that three inches justifies the trade, but it's worth noting.

[azfollower]

My uncle works for the Bulls. When Chandler was there, all I ever heard was about how he was injured or how he was being a prima donna. I just hope that CP3 started the job that LB will need to finish in order for this team to be competitive next year.

[Walt Cronkite]

I completely agree. However, just because he is a center because of how he plays doesn't mean he doesn't have short comings as a center. Skill wise, he was a center. Size and athleticism wise, he was a PF.

I'm not saying that three inches justifies the trade, but it's worth noting.

Okafor bested Chandler in measurements at the combine, height is pointless. Wingspan and standing reach are not. Mek has better practical height than Chandler. Fail.

[dnbman]

My uncle works for the Bulls. When Chandler was there, all I ever heard was about how he was injured or how he was being a prima donna. I just hope that CP3 started the job that LB will need to finish in order for this team to be competitive next year.

Keep in mind, he was also a teenager when the Bulls drafted him. Imagine being the start on a terrible team and being 19?

The views out of NO seem to suggest he's matured and become a good guy.

[Jeff41]

I'm reading the Hornets forum and seeing nothing but praise for Tyson's character and role in the community. I know I sucked when I was 18-19 as well, give the guy a break.

[azfollower]

The views out of NO seem to suggest he's matured and become a good guy.

I hope this is true. Given that we plan on giving him just as many minutes, perhaps he will prove that his numbers come from more than playing with Paul and that he can be the center that Emeka never was.

[docend24]

Okafor bested Chandler in measurements at the combine, height is pointless. Wingspan and standing reach are not. Mek has better practical height than Chandler. Fail.
Chandler was 18 (?) at that time, CatNation on Realgm claimed that Chandler grew up inch or two since then. But athleticism, passon for the game and finshing strong is more than you can see in those 3 inches.

[teej]

The least I'm worried about is his attitude, from everything Michael has said, he's a great guy and does all the things Mek does in the community and more. Let's just hope that transfers to the court.

[Walt Cronkite]

Chandler was 18 (?) at that time, CatNation on Realgm claimed that Chandler grew up inch or two since then. But athleticism, passon for the game and finshing strong is more than you can see in those 3 inches.

I'm just sayin, it's stupid to say "Finally we have a legit center, that 6'10 guy was too short!!" if they have nearly identical wingspans and standing reaches. Basketball isn't a sport of height as much as it is about reach.

You: Okafor is too short. I want Chandler because his eyes are three inches more elevated than Emeka's at all times so he can see the plays develop better because of his vantage point.
Me: No way! Mek is better because his eyes are lower to the ground so he's more balanced and closer to the action!

See? It's silly. Instead, of mentioning height, since it wasn't a logical reference for player differentiation, just say that you like Tyson more because he's more agile for his size and he likes to hang on the rim. I can still like Mek because he's a more physical player and he likes to read books. We all win.

[Marvel]

I'm just sayin, it's stupid to say "Finally we have a legit center, that 6'10 guy was too short!!" if they have nearly identical wingspans and standing reaches. Basketball isn't a sport of height as much as it is about reach.

You: Okafor is too short. I want Chandler because his eyes are three inches more elevated than Emeka's at all times so he can see the plays develop better because of his vantage point.
Me: No way! Mek is better because his eyes are lower to the ground so he's more balanced and closer to the action!

See? It's silly. Instead, of mentioning height, since it wasn't a logical reference for player differentiation, just say that you like Tyson more because he's more agile for his size and he likes to hang on the rim. I can still like Mek because he's a more physical player and he likes to read books. We all win.


What sort of books;) oh no that's magazines................. sorry.

[SWedd523]

I'm just sayin, it's stupid to say "Finally we have a legit center, that 6'10 guy was too short!!" if they have nearly identical wingspans and standing reaches. Basketball isn't a sport of height as much as it is about reach.

You: Okafor is too short. I want Chandler because his eyes are three inches more elevated than Emeka's at all times so he can see the plays develop better because of his vantage point.
Me: No way! Mek is better because his eyes are lower to the ground so he's more balanced and closer to the action!

See? It's silly. Instead, of mentioning height, since it wasn't a logical reference for player differentiation, just say that you like Tyson more because he's more agile for his size and he likes to hang on the rim. I can still like Mek because he's a more physical player and he likes to read books. We all win.
Even without the size argument when you look at Chandler you go, "Yep, he's a Center." There's no doubt and no denying that.

When you look at Mek you go, "Err... Center or Power Forward?"

I KNOW I KNOW Mek is and will always be a Center to you, me and the rest of the 'Cats fans.... but there were still questions about him being a Center in a PF body. Now--those questions are gone.

[Chef]

not to be totally argumentative, but height is very important in the post as a different attribute than reach. if mek's eyes are 3 inches lower and the defender is fronting him in the post, he has a much tougher time seeing the ball. if the mek is on defense and behind his man, he has a much more difficult time finding the ball. being taller is a significant advantage. just as having a long reach is also a valuable tool.

[Walt Cronkite]

Umm, okay.

[docend24]

I'm just sayin, it's stupid to say "Finally we have a legit center, that 6'10 guy was too short!!" if they have nearly identical wingspans and standing reaches. Basketball isn't a sport of height as much as it is about reach.

You: Okafor is too short. I want Chandler because his eyes are three inches more elevated than Emeka's at all times so he can see the plays develop better because of his vantage point.
Me: No way! Mek is better because his eyes are lower to the ground so he's more balanced and closer to the action!

See? It's silly. Instead, of mentioning height, since it wasn't a logical reference for player differentiation, just say that you like Tyson more because he's more agile for his size and he likes to hang on the rim. I can still like Mek because he's a more physical player and he likes to read books. We all win.
reading books, Pilates and yoga:facepalm:;)