Wow, that is a reasonable trade all the way around...people should take notice that is how you do it. DD
Err why did no one point out this small little point. Why would there be a need for toronto to be in this trade? When Rox could easily trade for CP3 and Okafor while still keeping David Anderson and cash? So a trade that pits Rox gutting half the team for CP3, marcus banks and reggie evans is so much better than all the trades ideas that have been throw around like gutting the team for CP3 and Okafor just because its a trade idea by Bima or because Rox is able to obtain Marcus Banks + Reggie Evans for Okafor + Anderson? not bashing Bima coz this is just like any trade ideas around, but the credit he gets for this trade........
I will give you several reasons why Toronto would need to be involved: (1) The trade does not work under the salary cap as a two-team trade. Even if Andersen is sent to New Orleans, the Rockets would also have to throw in Alexander Johnson or Mike Harris to make the numbers work. (2) New Orleans probably doesn't want David Andersen. They would much rather give those minutes to Craig Brackins. (3) Houston doesn't WANT Emeka Okafor at his given salary. Would they like him if he made the MLE? Sure. But he's owed more than $53M over the next four seasons. Daryl Morey wants nothing to do with that contract. Toronto's involvement allows Houston to shift that liability onto a third team. The cost of doing so, however, would be to take on ONE YEAR of Marcus Banks and Reggie Evans. (4) Taking on Banks and Evans allows the Rockets to preserve some of their other trade assets. By agreeing to take on SOME bad salary, the Rockets won't have to completely empty their treasure chest. Aaron Brooks is a goner if Paul comes to Houston regardless. There is simply no need for him. Jordan Hill is not a major part of the Rockets' future, in my opinion. And Trevor Ariza's long-term salary coming off the books may actually help the Rockets more in the long haul if they're going to have a long-term financial commitment to Paul. But other than that, it makes NO sense.
The key is finding a team that wants Okafor or at least is willing to take him on for junk contracts they have on the books. Therefore, if Paul is going to be traded East to NY or Orlando, would Toronto want to help facilitate another competitor in the East build their squad? I say no. No team in the East is going to help facilitate a trade of Chris Paul to another team in the East by taking on Okafor's contract.............unless they are getting substantial draft picks and young talent to offset his contract and to help them compete against the Heat and Chris Paul's new team. There's just not enough incentive for them to do that. However, if Chris Paul is traded to the West, then you could very well see Toronto get involved in a play for Okafor. Not to mention..............the Celtics. The Celtics, with Morey's connection to Ainge, could become very interested in Okafor for Wallace and Davis or Perkins. (And don't look now, but the Celtics could become involved in a bigger deal sending N.O. Rondo, Wallace, and expirings for Paul and Okafor.) My point is, no team in the East has any incentive to trade for Okafor if it helps Paul come to the East. So, the Eastern teams, if they want Paul, they either have to be prepared to eat Okafor or they've got to find a trading partner in the West to send Okafor to. Hmmmmm, somebody find me a team in the West that would be interested in trading for Okafor??? Keep looking too. I don't think you can find one. Perhaps Ok City could USE him. But Presti is too smart to take on that boat anchor without getting something else significant like Chris Paul in the deal. In all likelihood, whoever trades for Paul is going to have to eat Okafor's contract.
How about David West, guy is a great offensve player and can be our 4 off the bench and play the 3 in some situations.
Mega deal.... Paul+West+Okafor for Brooks+Battier+Jeffries+Hill+Budinger+Andersen+Patterson+2012 first rounder Leaves Yao/Okafor/Miller Scola/West/Miller Battier/West Martin/Taylor Paul/Lowry We remain deep in the front court even if we do lose Yao. West would be our 6th man and could start at either SF or PF dependig on some matchups.
