Emeka Okafor

[Bballkingsrock]

I think this would be a great trade if it is something like Greene/ May and THomas for Okafor

We have so many talented SFs that Greene just wont have much oppurtunity here in Sacramento

I think this is the most value we can get from K9's expiring and we seriously can not lose from this trade. Okafor is a solid 12 and 10 guy a night and 2 blocks. Okafor is just what we need here with his toughness and rebounding ability. Spencer/ JT/ Okafor lineup would be great versatile with defense and offense

Kings probably will not get anybody big from FA so we have to go trhough trades and I think this is pretty good value for it

 

[Telemachus]

The question becomes are going to commit to making a playoff run this season.

I honestly don't think this trade would have much to do with the Kings trying to make the playoffs this season (well, maybe as an after thought). I think this is a move that is made with the future in sight. Okafor helps solidify the Kings frontline in all the ways that they need most (i.e. defense, shot-blocking, and rebounding).

I also think this is a move that will either force Westphal to replace Hawes as the starting center OR hopefully put some fire into Hawes' belly to start playing the way he should be. With the surprise of how well the Kings have been playing so far, Hawes has been a big dissappointment IMO. The only good news is that he at least realizes that he needs to play better.

 

[bajaden]

It's not ABOUT the summer. It's about the next 5 years of Emeka's deal. It's about not just free agents, but being able to keep a team together without totally burying the team with overloaded contracts just like what happened before with Miller and Bibby.

Within the next 5 years, the Kings, even if they don't make any trades or go after any players that are better, have to have enough cash to keep the guys they want to keep. If that includes Evans, Casspi, JT, Hawes, etc, then they will have to have enough cap room to do so.

Well, actually no. But they will have to be willing to go over the cap. Perhaps even the luxury tax cap. The Bird rule will apply to all of them except Brockman, who I like a lot, but won't lose any sleep over.

 

[Section 101]

I think this would be a great trade if it is something like Greene/ May and THomas for Okafor

We have so many talented SFs that Greene just wont have much oppurtunity here in Sacramento

I think this is the most value we can get from K9's expiring and we seriously can not lose from this trade. Okafor is a solid 12 and 10 guy a night and 2 blocks. Okafor is just what we need here with his toughness and rebounding ability. Spencer/ JT/ Okafor lineup would be great versatile with defense and offense

Kings probably will not get anybody big from FA so we have to go trhough trades and I think this is pretty good value for it

Greene has been playing PF a lot lately.

You have to look at the ticket sales picture too. I know some people keep saying build for a championship team and not a 8th seed. But what about somewhere in the middle? It could take 5-10 years for the ideal players where Okafor could get us to the second round. And right now they need people in the seats. If the trade gets them a few thousand more people in the stands with the hope for the playoffs you just might have to do it.

But I would only do it for KT or wait till May is tradeable and add him. If they want JT, Hawes, Greene or Omri then forget it.

 

[bajaden]

Lol...some people on the Hornets forums are hoping that

1.They get Thompson
2.They get Hawes
3.They get a 1st
4. We take on Peja's contract as well

I guess they can dream right...

OK, we'll throw in May....

 

[Section 101]

Well, actually no. But they will have to be willing to go over the cap. Perhaps even the luxury tax cap. The Bird rule will apply to all of them except Brockman, who I like a lot, but won't lose any sleep over.

Don't forget the bargining agreement ends next year. The whole thing can change.

 

[Arkitect]

I honestly don't think this trade would have much to do with the Kings trying to make the playoffs this season (well, maybe as an after thought). I think this is a move that is made with the future in sight. Okafor helps solidify the Kings frontline in all the ways that they need most (i.e. defense, shot-blocking, and rebounding).

I also think this is a move that will either force Westphal to replace Hawes as the starting center OR hopefully put some fire into Hawes' belly to start playing the way he should be. With the surprise of how well the Kings have been playing so far, Hawes has been a big dissappointment IMO. The only good news is that he at least realizes that he needs to play better.

That is a good point. Even more reason to make this trade.

On a sidenote after a bit more research, when Okafor was the center for the Bobcats, they were a top half ranked team on defense, both for opponent FG% and blocked shots. And that was with having players like Sean May playing with him.

 

[Henkel]

Okafor isn't really overpaid if you look at what what similar players are getting around the league. He fits what this team needs and would help us solidify the physically tough team that we seem to be developing into.

My only concern is the same as bricks, does he have a impact on the game equal to the numbers he puts up? Tough to tell since he has been on so many bad teams since entering the league.

Its not a sure thing, but I doubt we do much better with the cap space.

 

[Telemachus]

Don't forget the bargining agreement ends next year. The whole thing can change.

For good OR bad. There is also the possibility of the cap dropping again, which would also hinder the Kings from being able to go after as big of a FA.

 

[Chupacabra]

Id LOVE to have Okafor on the team and i wouldnt have any problem giving up any combination of KT, Greene, May, Brockman to get him. Okafor is a physical player who I believe still has upside. His low post game is better than he gets credit for. His defense is legit. Hes the long, athletic, physical player that this team needs.

 

[bajaden]

Don't forget the bargining agreement ends next year. The whole thing can change.

True, true. I really doubt they want to change that rule though. One never knows for sure. I suspect the main debate will be over player benefits package based on the overall income of the NBA. I'm hoping that they get something settled before the bargining agreement ends. In the current financial climate I don't think a lock out would be benificial to anyone.

 

[AriesMar27]

I honestly don't think this trade would have much to do with the Kings trying to make the playoffs this season (well, maybe as an after thought). I think this is a move that is made with the future in sight. Okafor helps solidify the Kings frontline in all the ways that they need most (i.e. defense, shot-blocking, and rebounding).

I also think this is a move that will either force Westphal to replace Hawes as the starting center OR hopefully put some fire into Hawes' belly to start playing the way he should be. With the surprise of how well the Kings have been playing so far, Hawes has been a big dissappointment IMO. The only good news is that he at least realizes that he needs to play better.

this is where i have the biggest problem with the trade... say that hawes starts playing well again once martin gets back, what do we do with hawes once its time to extent his contract? we will have okafor with 3 more yrs on his deal being paid top dollar. same goes for omri and greene who i think will be better than nocioni by the time we have to resign them...

we arent the pistons, the sum of our parts arent better than a superstar... we wont have any all-star players or even borderline all-stars... the pistons had 4 plus a 4-time defensive player of the year... we dont have anything that comes close to resembling that....

if we didnt have beno and nocioni, maybe this trade idea wouldnt look so bad.

 

[bajaden]

By the way, I would like to congratulate everyone on this thread for an imformative and constructive debate. And we managed to do it without anyone getting upset. At least I don't think anyone got upset..

 

[Telemachus]

this is where i have the biggest problem with the trade... say that hawes starts playing well again once martin gets back, what do we do with hawes once its time to extent his contract? we will have okafor with 3 more yrs on his deal being paid top dollar. same goes for omri and greene who i think will be better than nocioni by the time we have to resign them...

we arent the pistons, the sum of our parts arent better than a superstar... we wont have any all-star players or even borderline all-stars... the pistons had 4 plus a 4-time defensive player of the year... we dont have anything that comes close to resembling that....

if we didnt have beno and nocioni, maybe this trade idea wouldnt look so bad.

That is a problem I wouldn't mind having. If Hawes is turning into a top 10 (or hopefully top 5) center, then you give him the money he is due. As for Omri and Greene, I think the time will come when we have to choose between them. That is assuming they both turn into solid starters. If one of them proves only be be a good bench player, then he won't demand that big of a contract.

As for Beno, if he keeps playing at his current level then he won't be very hard to move if the time comes. Noc's contract will also make him easier to move the further we get into it.

That is one thing about the current Kings, they have a lot of players that would not be difficult to trade IMO. Beno looked to be a problem coming into this season, but is changing that. Cisco is the only other player that I might question being able to trade. However, his versitility is very attractive to a lot of teams.

 

[Nighthawk1]

I'm suprised no one posted this yet..

Per Sac Bee (Sam Amick)

Rumors of Sac and NO about a KT for Okafor swap..

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/2009/11/kings-consideri.html

"
A source with knowledge of the situation says the Kings are discussing a trade with New Orleans that would send Kenny Thomas to the Hornets and bring center Emeka Okafor to Sacramento.
The deal would be ideal for the Hornets, as Thomas' expiring contract worth $8.7 million is just the kind of contract that would trim their enormous payroll. The question, of course, is whether the Kings see Okafor as a big man solution worth the five years and $62.5 million left on his deal.
The 6-foot-10, 255-pound center who was the second pick of the 2004 draft out of Connecticut has averaged 13.9 points and 10.6 rebounds in his six-season career. He spent his first four seasons in Charlotte before being traded to New Orleans in late July for Tyson Chandler.
No deal is imminent and this is merely a discussion between the two sides at this point. - Sam Amick"

 

[Telemachus]

By the way, I would like to congratulate everyone on this thread for an imformative and constructive debate. And we managed to do it without anyone getting upset. At least I don't think anyone got upset..

Now you've done it! Now we know who to blame if this thread goes down hill.

 

[VF21]

I'm suprised no one posted this yet..

Per Sac Bee (Sam Amick)

Rumors of Sac and NO about a KT for Okafor swap..

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/2009/11/kings-consideri.html

"
A source with knowledge of the situation says the Kings are discussing a trade with New Orleans that would send Kenny Thomas to the Hornets and bring center Emeka Okafor to Sacramento...
No deal is imminent and this is merely a discussion between the two sides at this point. - Sam Amick"

And I have the obvious question...which came first? This thread or Amick's blog?

Just wonderin'

 

[Nighthawk1]

And I have the obvious question...which came first? This thread or Amick's blog?

Just wonderin'

I have no idea, I'd have to assume this thread like usual

But just to be fair to Sam, maybe it's just coincidence..

 

[Vlade4GM]

By the way, I would like to congratulate everyone on this thread for an imformative and constructive debate. And we managed to do it without anyone getting upset. At least I don't think anyone got upset..

For the record, I'm very upset with this thread

 

[Telemachus]

I have no idea, I'd have to assume this thread like usual

But just to be fair to Sam, maybe it's just coincidence..

This thread was started at 12:13 AM. I got Sam's Tweet at 12:29 PM

 

[Bricklayer]

This thread was started at 12:13 AM. I got Sam's Tweet at 12:29 PM

I wouldn't blame it on Sam -- he's just the messenger.

The path clearly goes Kingsfans --> Petrie ---> Amick --> Tweet --> back to KF

 

[Section 101]

True, true. I really doubt they want to change that rule though. One never knows for sure. I suspect the main debate will be over player benefits package based on the overall income of the NBA. I'm hoping that they get something settled before the bargining agreement ends. In the current financial climate I don't think a lock out would be benificial to anyone.

I'm sure they want to cut the max years on contracts again. Also, lowering the max salaries.

 

[Admiral]

This team may be closer to mattering again than some think, and this is the sort of move that could really solidfy things up front. Isn't this exactly what we have talked about acquiring? The high quality rebounding/shotblocking big to complete the frontline?

Now I have long had some questions about Emeka. Namely...is he a guy who puts up numbers without great impact? He has always lost. He puts up good block/rebounding numbers, but his teams are not very good defensively. There was even an article about whether the Hornets' defense had left town along with Chandler. Of course Emeka replaced Chandler, puts up better numbers...but are they paper numbers? Chandler intimidated, but Emeka seems to get worked a lot.

In any case though, questions aside, if we can't hit a homerun with a star player, then this is the next thing -- solidify that frontline. Give us 96 minutes of quality bigs with versatile games. Covering all bases. If we were depedning on Okafor to be THE man up front, maybe I have my questions. But to be one of three talented full size bigs? Bring it on. Then we still have the Kevin piece to either, well, be Kevin, or package up for a star player of a diferent sort. Meanwhile Jason and Spencer continue to improve, Reke becomes a superstar, Omri and Donte improve...you have the start of somethng pretty good there.

I'm new here at Kingsfans, so hello all! Been a lurker here for a bit, but this seems an appropriate topic to make my first responses to....

I agree with Brick here completely. I like Okafor, but he's never seemed to be as good as his numbers suggest whenever I watch him play. That said, this IS exactly what we've been looking for...a big who plays defense and rebounds...With all the posters saying "we need a defensive big..." i'm surprised there is as much hemming and hawing (sp?) about this trade...

He may not be "ideal" for a lot of people here, but what, realistically, are we going to get that's better? We're not getting Bosh...we're not getting Amare, and most big superstar FAs probably are going to stay with their respective teams.

We are moving KT, which the majority of people here are in favor of; we're getting a talented defensive big. What's not to like? Being realistic, what do those of you that dislike this trade realistically think we are going to get with our cap space?

Yes, the contract is a bit large, yes he has been injured early in his career, and yes, next year is the biggest FA class ever...but if we don't land anyone in that FA class, he's proven healthy for 2 straight seasons and answers the biggest question mark on this team (bigs) and is young enough to be a part of the future here. I say there's more upside here than downside. Just my two cents

 

[Vlade4GM]

Okafor would be an undersized center as well as being injured a lot. He's hardly the cats meow. He's not a bad player when healthy, but he's not an upper tier player by any means. He'd be a huge risk with his contract.
I'd rather have Dalembert, who is just as good in the rebounding dept and has legit size. And a shorter contract..

Are we ever really going to have a shot at an upper tier player with our cap space though? This offseason is really our best shot, and we probably won't be able to lure an upper tier player or even have the cap space to sign them outright without a sign and trade. Dalembert may have a shorter contract, but things are only going to get more expensive from here on out regardless.

 

[Nighthawk1]

My problem is, this is an expensive undersized defensive center that doesn't play AS good defense as I think he gets credit for. So I pose this question is it really that worth while to jump into killing our cap space for an undersized defensive center with a big contract? He'll get us the 10 rebounds and a blocked shot or three a night I'm sure. But he really won't give us much on the offensive side of the ball.

Personally I'd rather stay at status quo and see where the draft ends up. If we want to turn KT into something why not throw out an offer that would be hard for someone like Toronto to refuse for a resigned Bosh. Or throw an offer the T'wolves way for Al Jefferson.

Okafor's biggest upside for us is his defense, rebounds, and he's ready to play RIGHT now and he's going to enter his prime. This could allow us to have Spence sit on the bench and develope more at his own pace

 

[Telemachus]

I'm new here at Kingsfans, so hello all! Been a lurker here for a bit, but this seems an appropriate topic to make my first responses to....

I agree with Brick here completely. I like Okafor, but he's never seemed to be as good as his numbers suggest whenever I watch him play. That said, this IS exactly what we've been looking for...a big who plays defense and rebounds...With all the posters saying "we need a defensive big..." i'm surprised there is as much hemming and hawing (sp?) about this trade...

He may not be "ideal" for a lot of people here, but what, realistically, are we going to get that's better? We're not getting Bosh...we're not getting Amare, and most big superstar FAs probably are going to stay with their respective teams.

We are moving KT, which the majority of people here are in favor of; we're getting a talented defensive big. What's not to like? Being realistic, what do those of you that dislike this trade realistically think we are going to get with our cap space?

Yes, the contract is a bit large, yes he has been injured early in his career, and yes, next year is the biggest FA class ever...but if we don't land anyone in that FA class, he's proven healthy for 2 straight seasons and answers the biggest question mark on this team (bigs) and is young enough to be a part of the future here. I say there's more upside here than downside. Just my two cents

Welcome to the forum Admiral.

 

[Yoda]

I think I like this deal. Defense is certainly something I miss seeing and its hard to debate that Okafor would at least bring more of it.

 

[VF21]

As suicidal as some people around here get over large contracts, I cannot understand how you're now talking about dealing a huge expiring for a big contract connected to an injury-prone player.

I'd like to see what Petrie can do with some real operating room in the free agency pool. IIRC, no one who was a Kings fan back in the day saw Vlade Divac coming to us before it happened. And I'm pretty sure the Mitch Richmond trade for Webber caught the vast majority of us somewhat off guard.

We've weathered the years of Kenny's contract and can finally be in a position to reap the benefits. Trading it away seems just a little silly to me, especially for someone who isn't a clear game changer.

 

[Chupacabra]

^ Now might be the time to think about changing the blue font portion of your sig.

 

[Bricklayer]

Personally I'd rather stay at status quo and see where the draft ends up. If we want to turn KT into something why not throw out an offer that would be hard for someone like Toronto to refuse for a resigned Bosh. Or throw an offer the T'wolves way for Al Jefferson.

There really is no such offer for either of those guiys, that's the problem. We have to throw up all kinds of assets just to get them to listen, and they may well still say no, this is our franchise guy, go away.

Picking up any 20-10 type big is always purely speculative and there is a significant chance you flat out miss. But even if let's say that was what you wanted to do -- even at the risk I might add of adding a soft player in that would break up the hustle crew. Don't you think that having Emeka Okafor on the team might actually HELP the efforts to acquire a star big? All of a sudden we have a spare starting center. Offering him up could go a long way toward assuaging the other team's concerns about giving up their best big. Or you can keep Okafor and offer one of the two kids and know that you still will have tremendous depth after the deal. KT's ender is valuable, but its not so valuable that peope are going to give you major stars for it alone. When it comes time to try to get an important player, if we need to, having an Okafor as a trading chip could be a huge advantage. In the meantime, you legitimately have created a situation where oyu could have a Top 5 frontcourt in a few years. Missing the megastar, but deep and versatile and big. Given what we've got brewing in the backcourt, there is no reason you could not be thinkng about winning a lot of games down the road.