Okafor For Chandler?

[horse900703]

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
Archive
The New Orleans Hornets are closing in on a trade that would send center Tyson Chandler to the Charlotte Bobcats for Emeka Okafor, signaling the Hornets' unexpected intent to keep up with the contenders and spenders in the Western Conference.
NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com that the deal was nearly consummated Friday and that talks had advanced to the point that the swap could be completed later Monday or Tuesday, barring any unexpected late snags.

Although Chandler ($11.7 million) and Okafor ($10.6) carry similar salaries for next season, New Orleans' apparent willingness to take on Okafor's contract -- with four years remaining after next season -- is a marked departure from the Hornets' recent cost-conscious efforts to move Chandler.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4359609

[quietsavant]

don't hate the players, hate the game.

[MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs]

We get Gooden, the Hornets get Okafor. That's not a good sign.

[Dirkenstien]

Sheesh. We need to find a way to get in on this deal.

[Skywalker]

Done deal....

The New Orleans Hornets have agreed in principle to a trade that will send center Tyson Chandler to the Charlotte Bobcats for Emeka Okafor, signaling the Hornets' unexpected intent to try to keep up with the contenders and spenders in the Western Conference.

NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com that the deal was nearly consummated Friday and that talks had advanced to the point that the swap is on course to be submitted to the league office for approval Tuesday, barring any unforeseen snags.

Just days after star guard Chris Paul wondered aloud about management's strategy at the NBA's annual summer league in Las Vegas -- "I'm not sure if we're going to make any moves," Paul told ESPN.com's J.A. Adande -- New Orleans stunned numerous league observers by moving ahead with a deal that will bring them limited savings next season and force them to take on three extra years of eight-figure salary commitments to Okafor.

That represents a striking departure from the Hornets' recent cost-conscious efforts to move Chander.

The Hornets initially dealt Chandler to Oklahoma City days before the league's annual trading deadline in February for the then-expiring contracts of Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith, only for the Thunder to rescind the trade 24 hours later because of concerns about Chandler's long-standing toe problems.

The widespread belief around the league at the time and then during New Orleans' subsequent discussions with Phoenix about swapping Chandler for the expiring contract of Ben Wallace -- which Phoenix has since bought out -- held that New Orleans was only interested in shedding Chandler's contract in exchange for an expiring deal to create payroll relief.

Swapping Chandler (due to earn $11.7 next season) for Okafor ($10.6 million) will save the Hornets just over $1 million next season and cost them an extra $40-plus million over the final three years of Okafor's deal if the 26-year-old exercises his $14.5 million option for the 2013-14 season. Chandler has just one year left on his contract after this season at $12.6 million.

Although Chandler was a favorite of Paul's for his ability to run the floor and finish lobs, making a so-called "basketball trade" as opposed to a salary dump will come as a welcome surprise to Hornets fans and will undoubtedly be interpreted as a message from management to their point guard that it is intent on keeping a quality team around him.

Initial indications Monday were that no other players will be added to the deal. Sources with knowledge of the talks said this proposal featuring Chandler and Okafor as the main components has been pursued since late last week.

The Bobcats would be giving up their first-ever draft pick and the only starting center in franchise history for Chandler, who was restricted to just 45 games last season because of myriad foot injuries. Okafor averaged 13.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks last season in the first year of a new six-year, $72 million deal with the Bobcats.

Chandler averaged 8.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game last season. It remains to be seen whether Charlotte wanted him because coach Larry Brown, who has at times struggled to mask his frustrations with Okafor's offensive limitations, craves the mobility and athleticism Chandler can supply when he's healthy.

Another possibility, given the uncertainty surrounding Chandler's health after Oklahoma City rescinded the February trade, is that the move is financially motivated on the Bobcats' side. Reducing the team's long-term salary obligations would likely only enhance owner Bob Johnson's stated intention to sell the team.

Provided there are no complications with Chandler's physical in Charlotte, his arrival and Okafor's exit will leave swingman Gerald Wallace as the only holdover from the Bobcats' original roster in 2004-05. Okafor stands to be the fourth of Charlotte's seven lottery picks to leave town, joining Sean May (waived), Adam Morrison (traded last season to the Los Angeles Lakers) and Brandan Wright (traded to Golden State on draft day in 2007).

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4359609

[MavsFanFinley]

Damn good deal for the Hornets. Wow.

[Five-ofan]

Originally Posted by MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs

We get Gooden, the Hornets get Okafor. That's not a good sign.

the hornets lose chandler. Granted he wasnt healthy last year but a healthy chandler is better than okafor and hes a better fit with paul.

[Windmill360]

This deal is perplexing.

[MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs]

I don't understand what the 'Cats are thinking. I read this wasn't a salary dump that they believe (if healthy) Chandler can fit better with a running game than Okafor. And if he isn't healthy he's expiring next year anyway so they can rid themselves of him. But yet, there's rumors they offered us Okafor for Damp? Maybe that was just a rumor.

[Windmill360]

so they get Okafor AND A FIRST ROUND PICK?! wtf!

Emeka Okafor was dealt to the Hornets along with a first round pick for Tyson Chandler on Tuesday.

"We looked at this trade as an opportunity to improve our team," Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins said. "Tyson brings that unique level of athleticism in a 7-footer that puts us in a position to compete night in and night out with the other quality centers in the league."

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar..._for_chandler/

[Robillion]

Originally Posted by MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs

I don't understand what the 'Cats are thinking. I read this wasn't a salary dump that they believe (if healthy) Chandler can fit better with a running game than Okafor. And if he isn't healthy he's expiring next year anyway so they can rid themselves of him. But yet, there's rumors they offered us Okafor for Damp? Maybe that was just a rumor.

That was probably just Bill Ingram. So neither a rumor or a fact.
The Bobcats are straight up stupid with this trade.

[dalmations202]

this trade makes lots of sense from a Larry Brown perspective, IMO. It doesn't makes sense in a NO perspective, IF --- they were trying to shed some $$$$. They took on an awful large contract for a team that is still supposedly in the red.

Brown taking Chandler makes sense though. He is reassembling the parts like he did in Detroit. Chandler is a bigger Big Ben. His job is put backs and defense. GWallace is in the Prince mold. DJ/Felton at the point, Raja at the SG (though he really isn't a RIP), Diaw in the McDyess role I am guessing. Vlad will have to play the Rasheed role somewhat.

I'd bet that you could move JET to Charlotte or Ray Allen either one to put in the RIP role.

They are putting the pieces together that should get them to the playoffs. It remains to be seen if they would be good enough to go any farther, but I can see the Brown team coming together.

As far as NO goes --- West and Okafor seem a little redundant to me, but they will both be good players for sure. I don't see them in the elite of the west, but any CP3 team will be good of course. Peja in the 6th man role will be excellent, IMO.

[Five-ofan]

just to be clear, all of you do understand that when healthy chandler is better than okafor right????

[Tokey41]

I don't understand how the Hornets FO managed to sucker a first rounder from the Bobcats as well... what the hell is that?

Chandler and Okafor to me are a wash. I think Okafor is a little more skilled on the offensive end so pairing him with Paul, who is desperate for help, makes sense. I can see how Chandler will work well on a Brown roster as well. I have a feeling each team will be pleased with the outcome of this trade... but a first round pick? That's what pisses me off.

[Five-ofan]

Originally Posted by Tokey41

I don't understand how the Hornets FO managed to sucker a first rounder from the Bobcats as well... what the hell is that?

Chandler and Okafor to me are a wash. I think Okafor is a little more skilled on the offensive end so pairing him with Paul, who is desperate for help, makes sense. I can see how Chandler will work well on a Brown roster as well. I have a feeling each team will be pleased with the outcome of this trade... but a first round pick? That's what pisses me off.

He is more skilled offensively but Chris Paul ALWAYS has the ball and his offensive skill is tied to things he does with the ball not away from it. Hes also nowhere near the athlete chandler is which is what made that pick and roll so scary. There was pretty much no way to stop the alley oop.

[Windmill360]

hmm that first rounder report must have been false. They changed the headline now.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Five-ofan

just to be clear, all of you do understand that when healthy chandler is better than okafor right????

I'd call it a wash since Okafor has the offense, and Chandler has the defense. Okafor plays hard on his man but doesnt change a game defensively like Chandler can.

But yeah, there arent many centers Id rather have on this team than Chandler. Camby's the better center but he's also 35 and has had at least as many injuries. Chandler isnt a picture of health, but he's only 26 and has had Camby-esque streaks where he's dominated the defensive paint.Put him next to Dirk and Marion and that would be a scary team.

Pipedreams aside, and draft picks aside, the Bobcats got the better side of this.

Only scenario I could even see working to get Chandler now is to lure them out by taking Diop off their hands for Humphries/Buckner.

Damp/Humphries/Buckner would save them about 26million, and Diop is one of their longest contract-guys.

[Tokey41]

Originally Posted by Five-ofan

He is more skilled offensively but Chris Paul ALWAYS has the ball and his offensive skill is tied to things he does with the ball not away from it. Hes also nowhere near the athlete chandler is which is what made that pick and roll so scary. There was pretty much no way to stop the alley oop.

To be fair, Okafor has been unfortunate in that he has been stuck in Charlotte his entire pro career and thus been forced to facilitate most of his offensive game himself. He hasn't had a Paul or a PG that can even be considered remotely close to a Paul. Now that I think about it, sadly I think the closest thing for Okafor might have been Brevin Knight. We'll see how he does with someone far more capable giving him those easy looks, as well as the added bonus of having another scoring threat like West to take defensive pressure off of him. It's going to be a whole new world for Okafor, one where his team isn't filled with barely competent teammates... and it could spell trouble for us as a divisional rival.

[darkwitzki]

a bad back vs. a mangled toe, who will stay healthy and become productive?