This thread is about what teams could possibly use Okafor but don't have the assets to trade for the Paul/Okafor package. In other words, it is teams that could possibly be involved in a 3-way trade to New Orleans that moves Paul out of New Orleans. 1. Boston - Perkins is injured. Rasheed retired. They re-signed Pierce and Allen to make another run. Wallace and Glen Davis' contracts would get it done. That gives them a very tight defense with Garnett Okafor in the paint and then Perkins when he recovers. 2. Detroit - No true center to play alongside Maxiell and Monroe and Monroe is having surgery. They could cough up Tayshaun's expiring, or Charlie V and Chris Wilcox. 3. Oklahoma City - needs a center bad. Has expiring contracts to make it happen. 4. Toronto still needs a center. These are 4 teams that may be available to offload Okafor to if a big trade for Paul materializes. Charlotte needs a big but they are holding out for Paul. There was a rumor floating that Orlando had offered Vince and Jameer for Paul and Okafor and allegedly the deal fell through because Orlando couldn't find a team to send Okafor to. I know his contract is a boat anchor but none of these teams willing to give up expirings for him? I would bet Boston would but they weren't willing to let Paul go to Orlando when they are making another run for it. I think they might take on Okafor if Paul is kept in the West. The other part of this deal Jameer for Paul exchange tells me that New Orleans knows it can get more for Paul than just Jameer and losing Okafor's contract. Charlotte could offer the most cap relief right now using Dampier's contract but that deal hasn't been made because they are holding Damp to use in a package to acquire Paul. The problem is, they have no assets to help New Orleans rebuild. So, unless they are willing to take Okafor for Damp and be done, there's probably no deal there. The point is, we have one of the best if not the best packages of draft picks, young talent and expirings to go after Paul. And we have enough expirings to take on Okafor's boat anchor deal too. But, if we acquired them, I wouldn't be surprised if we were able to push Okafor to a 3rd team, like Boston, for expirings to fill out our roster and possibly cherry pick another player come the trade deadline.
Rockets could actually also use him from a basketball standpoint, I think. He is a great defensive center. Isn't he actually from Houston and has some connection to Hakeem? The only issue really is his huge contract...
RE: OKC Don't they have Kristic and Collison, two very serviceable guys? And didn't they just draft Aldrich? I mean, none of those guys are going to be all stars, but they don't need much more than what they have at the C position.
I'm pretty sure Boston it looks at the next two years as their last shot, I'm not sure if they're gonna want to take on Okafor for another four years if they're not getting Paul, or at least two first round picks. But I do think we would have to find a way to move Okafor in any potential Paul deal. There are limits to how much Les is going to be willing to spend.
I'm wondering why Orlando wouldn't do Nelson/Carter straight up for Paul/Okafor? Granted, Okafor's contract is bloated, but he isn't a bad player. Playing Howard and Okafor alongside each other would give you a pretty nice looking front line, and they could finally slide Rashard Lewis back to SF.
Agreed. I think they would like to move Brandon Bass. However, I think New Orleans knows they can do better than Jameer and Vince (expiring).
Yes. But Kristic and Collison are expiring. Forgot about Aldrich but he is a rookie. And Presti probably doesn't trade for Okafor's deal anyways. Just listed them as a possibility. Don't really feel they are viable. However, we know they would be interested in a Paul/Okafor package. But they can't beat our assets.
That's probably what it is. I just thought it odd that the rumor in the original post makes it seem like the lack of finding another team to take Okafor was the issue with the Orlando/NO trade. For Orlando, I look at the positive being: Howard becomes exponentially better by playing with a top PG, Howard/Okafor gives you one of the best defensive front courts in the NBA, and they can move Lewis back to SF. Orlando is sorely lacking a playmaker, and Paul would give that to them in spades. Anyone know what enticing pieces can the Knicks give NO other than Eddy Curry's expiring contract?
I have not watch alot of Okafor but is he that much better than Big Baby Davis? BBD gave alot for the C's in the playoffs. Rocket River
As overpaid as he is, there's no way he'd have been signed to a near-max contract if he wasn't that much better than Glen Davis. He's a career 13ppg/10rpg/2bpg guy and a very good low post defender. Bad hands and mechanical on offense, but no where near Chuck Hayes territory or anything like that.
