[Sam Amico] Hornets offering 1st round pick to get rid of Okafor

I'm pretty sure it's when you're more than famous.

 

Last year was a deep draft but not top heavy. This year is both. Look over at some mock drafts and if a good number of underclassmen declare then non lottery picks could include: John Henson, Perry Jones, Kendall Marshall, Fab Melo, Terrence Jones, Terrence Ross, Quincy Miller, Marquis Teague, Andrew Nicholson, Draymond Green.

Some pretty solid non-lottery picks (depending on who comes out or not).

 

[rQUOTEr]* With Ricky Rubio out for the year, the Timberwolves are almost certain to keep point guard Luke Ridnour. Another interesting result of the Rubio injury: If the Wolves fade without Rubio, their unprotected first-round pick sent by the Clippers to New Orleans in the Chris Paul deal potentially becomes more valuable. But one rival executive believes it's unlikely that teams would be willing to take on Emeka Okafor's $28 million over the next two years -- even for a pick that could turn into, say, Anthony Davis. Rick Adelman has done such an exemplary job with the Wolves -- with a short training camp and virtually no practices -- that it's hard to envision them dropping off too much with Ridnour taking over for Rubio. But it's a situation that bears watching. If the Hornets wind up with a top pick as a result of the Paul trade, it would be vindication for commissioner David Stern's veto of a prior three-way deal with Houston and the Lakers. What would the commissioner/owner say if presented with the chance to parlay that pick into $28 million in savings for the new owner? Probably not likely, given that what the Hornets need more than anything are players. They already have payroll flexibility to a degree.[/rQUOTEr]

 

I say we do this deal, Okafor isn't a bad player by any means, skilled bigs are rare, and it's highly unlikely Howard or Williams are going to be walking into Morey's office begging to sign here.

If there's no protections on the pick, I say make the deal.

 

When you players like Darius Johnson Odom(Russel Westbrook 2.0?, Marquette), Jae Crowder(Marquette), Kevin Jones(WVU), William Buford(OSU) currently going in the 2nd round or undrafted, yes this is a deep draft.

 

I agree with this thinking. if the pick is truly unprotected, Emeka is going to be off the books by the time they develop.

the next step would be a Scola/Martin salary dump...

 

Okafor was good in Charlotte so there's no reason to believe he could revitalize his career in Houston. He would become the focal point in our offense and the 1st round pick makes it even sweeter. Give the Hornets Dragic & Martin.

 

Yes exactly. Do it Morey!! Too bad they didn't specify if it was this years pick...