Emeka Okafor

[LPKingsFan]

The opportunity to add talent without giving up any is just too much to pass up on.

This is a very important point here. I think people are getting caught up in the idea that we need to stay in the lotto and remain under the cap just because that's what rebuilding teams do, and it took us way too long to start the process. But you don't do those things just to do them, you do them to stockpile talent and start building the pieces back up again.

 

[CruzDude]

The single biggest issue in any trade for Okafur IMHO will be money$$$$. KT is playing more productively now than at any previous time. OK, so maybe they are showcasing him.

Okafor OTOH, is a 5-yr $62M dude ($10.5M this year) whereas KT is an $8.5M expiring. So Kings might have to add something to get below the 15% rule, a second maybe or Sergio. But immediately their payroll for next year goes up $11M. Even if Kings end up improved and near the middle of the pack draft wise and out of the lottery, that is a very big $$$ pill to swallow.

If the Kings really do improve and become the exciting team they appear to be, there will be some really good top or second echelon centers willing to come out for far less. Top to me is top 10 or 12 in the league. Second echelon might be 8-18.

Anyway, an intriguing trade. If the Maloofs can get NO to pay some decent part of his salary, then it could be a better trade. But the business of $$$ rains supreme for now. Besides Kings really need couple more months to see how good they really can become with the current crowed.

 

[ElRey]

This draft pick argument is really flawed. A number of us have claimed that last year we were better, or certainly more talented than a 17 win team. Really we should have been around the 30 win mark with a proper coach. Add Tyreke to that squad and we really are no where near the top 5 pick (odds wise anyway)

So this notion that we will wase a chance for a top 3 or top 5 pick this year if we traded for Okafor is just pipe dream. Even if we do not make a deal and let things sit as they are now, we will not have legitimate chance for a top 5 pick. Realistically we are in the 6-12 range. I ask are we really throwing away a chance at a top 5 pick?! I don't think we are, or should be in the hunt for one given out talent level. There are quite a few teams out there who are worse than us this year.

.

BUT ALL the "experts" on ESPN, and the media already said that we will be the absolute worst team in the league, bar none! Last place means another top 4 pick, and potentially a #1 pick! Don't you trust the experts?


Seriously though, the only way we going to get a star center is through trades or the draft. You can pretty much forget about free agency, because no star is going to sign with us unless we grossly overpay. So that leaves trades or draft. With most trades, you have to give up talent in exchange so that's not so good. With the draft this year, are there any centers/forwards that have superstar potential? Ed Davis? Favors?

Wouldn't it be nice to have a crystal ball to tell where this team is headed with the current players this year?

 

[Jechtsphere]

Okafor OTOH, is a 5-yr $62M dude ($10.5M this year) whereas KT is an $8.5M expiring. So Kings might have to add something to get below the 15% rule, a second maybe or Sergio. But immediately their payroll for next year goes up $11M. Even if Kings end up improved and near the middle of the pack draft wise and out of the lottery, that is a very big $$$ pill to swallow.

I don't think they have to give up anything else besides KT, Amick says the rule is within 20%

 

[AriesMar27]

Look, all I'm saying is that adding Okafor's salary would not put us over the luxury cap threshold. And thats a fact! Now you can add anything you want after the fact and make it anything you want to get the outcome you want, but the only fact in your post is that the Kings total salaries would be close to 41 mil without Thomas and if you add Okafor's salary it would bring it to around 52 mil and some change. Thats not over the luxury tax threshold, and, may not end up being over the salary cap depending on where its happens to be set.
Everything else is woulda, coulda, shoulda. But their not facts..

thats why i said that we would be there in 2 years... unless okafor is the only player that we add to the roster for the next 2 years... we'll have 2 years worth of draft picks and then we'll have to start resigning our young players... im not saying that it will happen next year, just that if we add him we'll be over the cap this year. if he doesnt put us over the top and make us contenders we will add more players or trade for more players which will put us over the top sooner than later...

 

[kpm308]

I don't think they have to give up anything else besides KT, Amick says the rule is within 20%

The 2 million difference is one of the more enticing things for the Hornets in this trade, and the reason why most likely they will not ask for a young guy to be thrown in. The Hornets right now have 73.1 million in salaries. The luxury tax is at 71.15 million. The 2 million difference in salary will instantly save them 4 million because the 2 million doubles when in the tax. More importantly, you must be under the tax level in order to receive a share of the luxury tax money that is distributed among the teams at the end of the year. This year there looks to be over 100 million paid in luxury tax. So getting under the tax by 1 dollar would allow them to claim another 4.5 million or so, which is substantial, and would put the Hornets about 9 million up this year by trading for KT.

 

[bajaden]

BUT ALL the "experts" on ESPN, and the media already said that we will be the absolute worst team in the league, bar none! Last place means another top 4 pick, and potentially a #1 pick! Don't you trust the experts?


Seriously though, the only way we going to get a star center is through trades or the draft. You can pretty much forget about free agency, because no star is going to sign with us unless we grossly overpay. So that leaves trades or draft. With most trades, you have to give up talent in exchange so that's not so good. With the draft this year, are there any centers/forwards that have superstar potential? Ed Davis? Favors?

Wouldn't it be nice to have a crystal ball to tell where this team is headed with the current players this year?

Ask me in about three months. Its way too early to tell right now.

 

[bloom]

Oh no , I really hope this isn’t true…Nooooooooo! Okafor is an injury prone, long contact player (extremely long). No thanks! Can we just wait till free agency or even try to get someone better. Seriously, I’m sure we can find a better player than Okafor. I really hope this isn’t going to happen.

 

[Bricklayer]

The 2 million difference is one of the more enticing things for the Hornets in this trade, and the reason why most likely they will not ask for a young guy to be thrown in. The Hornets right now have 73.1 million in salaries. The luxury tax is at 71.15 million. The 2 million difference in salary will instantly save them 4 million because the 2 million doubles when in the tax. More importantly, you must be under the tax level in order to receive a share of the luxury tax money that is distributed among the teams at the end of the year. This year there looks to be over 100 million paid in luxury tax. So getting under the tax by 1 dollar would allow them to claim another 4.5 million or so, which is substantial, and would put the Hornets about 9 million up this year by trading for KT.

Solid post. That needed to be said regarding the Hornets' motivations.

 

[ElRey]

Oh no , I really hope this isn’t true…Nooooooooo! Okafor is an injury prone, long contact player (extremely long). No thanks! Can we just wait till free agency or even try to get someone better. Seriously, I’m sure we can find a better player than Okafor. I really hope this isn’t going to happen.

Who would you get in free agency? Dwight Howard? Please give the Kings some suggestions for free agent signings?

 

[bloom]

Who would you get in free agency? Dwight Howard? Please give the Kings some suggestions for free agent signings?

I haven't thought about it, I think a great shot might be Bosh. But I'll have to think about it more...but I really don't care, I really want to stay far away from Okafor. It's just a personal opinion.

 

[Bricklayer]

Oh no , I really hope this isn’t true…Nooooooooo! Okafor is an injury prone, long contact player (extremely long). No thanks! Can we just wait till free agency or even try to get someone better. Seriously, I’m sure we can find a better player than Okafor. I really hope this isn’t going to happen.

For Kts contract alone?

Who praytell?

And while I have had my doubts about Okafor over the years, the aversion amongst some to a walking double double who also blocks shots is odd. This guy has been a Top 10 rebounder and shotblocker for 5 straight years in this league during whicih time we've never had a player who was either. And we can get him for KT?

 

[bajaden]

thats why i said that we would be there in 2 years... unless okafor is the only player that we add to the roster for the next 2 years... we'll have 2 years worth of draft picks and then we'll have to start resigning our young players... im not saying that it will happen next year, just that if we add him we'll be over the cap this year. if he doesnt put us over the top and make us contenders we will add more players or trade for more players which will put us over the top sooner than later...

There's no doubt that its a big contract. And there's no doubt that it will affect how we approach things in the future. We also don't know what the new collective bargining aggreement is going to have in it. It could change everything, and we could be arguing over something that may not even exist in its current form.

So the question is whether Okafor is worth the risk or not. Even if we let Thomas contract expire and somehow sign a defensive center, whoever that might be, to a contract. Its likely to be a long term contract that will affect our future as well. So can Okafor be a difference maker. If the answer is yes, then you do the deal and be happy that you have him tied up for a while. If the answer is no, then you don't do the deal. My answer is a guess at best.

Trying to sit on the outside and look in, I would say that Okafor is a bad fit in New O'rleans. They appeared to be looking for a Chandler clone and he's not that. Defensively their similar, but offensively Chandler fit what they were doing better.

Trying to look at the Kings the same way and the team that they're trying to build, it appears at least on the surfice that Okafor would fit into the mold. The Kings wouldn't be looking for offense as much as they are defense and rebounding. The two things he's best at. The only conflict might be on offense because Okafor lives in the paint, but so does Thompson. It would force Thompson to play away from the basket a little bit more. Which could work because of Thompson's passing ability and his little 15 to 17 foot jumper. I think it could work, and add to the toughness of the team. Offense wins games for you, but defense will keep you in games.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I dont have a problem with that statement. However, you and I are in the minority. Anyhow, Even if the trade doesnt make us a championship contender it would still greatly imrpove our team and talent. The Kings need to put fans back in the seats asap.

I agree. And it depending upon our player development or who Petrie can trade for with out multitude of other assets, it would put us on the right path to becoming a contender again.

 

[bloom]

For Kts contract alone?

Who praytell?

And while I have had my doubts about Okafor over the years, the aversion amongst some to a walking double double who also blocks shots is odd. This guy has been a Top 10 rebounder and shotblocker for 5 straight years in this league during whicih time we've never had a player who was either. And we can get him for KT?

The 2 big things that scare me about this trade is that Okafor is injury prone and – if I’m not mistaken – has 5 more years on his contract. That’s a long long time to have a guy that has a problem staying healthy. I’m not future teller but if he can stay on the court then maybe, but he scares me.

I think the question then becomes – do you/we/kings organization think we can land a great player in free agency? Do we have a decent shot at maybe Bosh or someone else? Or do we take a big risk in trying to acquire a player that has a long heavy contract (Okafor)?

 

[Sptsjunkie]

This is a very important point here. I think people are getting caught up in the idea that we need to stay in the lotto and remain under the cap just because that's what rebuilding teams do, and it took us way too long to start the process. But you don't do those things just to do them, you do them to stockpile talent and start building the pieces back up again.

Agreed. Especially here since Okafor fits our team's needs and salary cap space is relatively meaningless to us in the sense that we are not going to lure a big name star to Sac.Okafor's salary isn't ideal, but if everything was ideal he probably wold not be available in the first place or other team's would be fighting for him. This has the chance to be a steal for us.

 

[USNAVY15]

Hmmmmmmm.....KT or EO? HMMMM........bank on a free agent coming to sacramento or acquire one through a trade? Hmmmm. I imagine that the hornets want more, or it would have already been a done deal. I don't like Okafor too much, but he is a starter in the NBA and we don't really have one of those at the C position.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

For Kts contract alone?

Who praytell?

And while I have had my doubts about Okafor over the years, the aversion amongst some to a walking double double who also blocks shots is odd. This guy has been a Top 10 rebounder and shotblocker for 5 straight years in this league during whicih time we've never had a player who was either. And we can get him for KT?

Agree 100%. Walking double double, who clogs the lane, plays great man D and blocks shots without being a liability on offense. Sure, he is overpaid, but these types of big men are rarely available. Shoot, as a UFA David Lee could command 10 million a year next year for playing no D and putting up double double in a D'Antoni offense.

 

[VF21]

For Kts contract alone?

Who praytell?

And while I have had my doubts about Okafor over the years, the aversion amongst some to a walking double double who also blocks shots is odd. This guy has been a Top 10 rebounder and shotblocker for 5 straight years in this league during whicih time we've never had a player who was either. And we can get him for KT?

What happens if we end up stuck with Okafur's contract? Doesn't that just extend the Webber debacle into the far distant future? If we're going to trade KT away, I'd much rather see it be for someone/anyone who doesn't automatically become the longest contract on our books.

 

[Fireplug]

What is the team's thinking on getting Okafor? What I mean is, the Kings are winning right now because the players are all well rounded. At every starting position, and in most of the backup positions, we have a player who can drive, make an open shot from some form of outside, can rebound ok, can pass, and can defend in a group defense setting. We are winning because teams can't focus on any one guy because another will step up, and we are winning because we are "help" defending and group rebounding.

So where would Okafor fit in? He is a rebounder extraordinaire. Ok. The Kings of the past rebounded like the ball was dipped in H1N1, but what about THIS year's team? This year's team is 5th overall in rebound differential since the season began, and first, yes I said FIRST overall at +9.6 over the last 5 games when the team has finally began to come into their own.

If it is he for Thomas straight up then of course it makes sense, but what are these "other considerations" they keep talking about and do we really want to fiddle with team chemistry when it seems we finally have it right after all these years of experimenting?

I just don't know....

 

[VF21]

What is the team's thinking on getting Okafor? What I mean is, the Kings are winning right now because the players are all well rounded. At every starting position, and in most of the backup positions, we have a player who can drive, make an open shot from some form of outside, can rebound ok, can pass, and can defend in a group defense setting. We are winning because teams can't focus on any one guy because another will step up, and we are winning because we are "help" defending and group rebounding. So where would Okafor fit in? He is a rebounder extraordinaire. Ok. The Kings of the past rebounded like the ball was dipped in H1N1, but what about THIS year's team? This year's team is 5th overall in rebound differential since the season began, and first, yes I said FIRST overall at +9.6 over the last 5 games when the team has finally began to come into their own. If it is he for Thomas straight up then of course it makes sense, but what are these "other considerations" they keep talking about and do we really want to fiddle with team chemistry when it seems we finally have it right after all these years of experimenting? I just don't know....

Exactly! (And nice to see you jump in on the discussion, BTW.)

I want to see what this group of young men can do. Yes, we have some pieces I personally think we can do without but I'm not in any way convinced that acquiring Okafur and his contract are anything that would help a young rebuilding team. Being saddled with his salary for the next four or five years could really throw a wrench into the works. And that's why, despite what Amick has hinted, I don't think this is a serious consideration at this point.

 

[LPKingsFan]

What happens if we end up stuck with Okafur's contract? Doesn't that just extend the Webber debacle into the far distant future? If we're going to trade KT away, I'd much rather see it be for someone/anyone who doesn't automatically become the longest contract on our books.

On the contrary, it actually makes the Webber trade look OK (and this is coming from someone who thought it was an absolute disgrace). If you can say you traded Webber for the #2 pick in the 2004 draft, then yes, its starts to make sense, albeit 5 years late.

And what's wrong with long contracts? It's not like most good players out there just sign 3 year deals... There seems to be a disconnect between having cap space and using it. Everyone is calling for us to sign someone, then we do and all of the sudden its "oh no the contract is too long." Beno and Cisco were clearly ill-advised, but Okafor is way above their level. This isn't a role player. This is the defensive big man we've been clamoring for.

 

[Chupacabra]

Sounds like most people have hardly seen Okafor play. The guy is a decent offensive player. Reading some of the posts on here youd think Okafor isnt any better than Ben Wallace on the offensive end. Most likely just a case of people bashing the player because they dont like the trade idea. MAKE IT HAPPEN PETRIE!

 

[LPKingsFan]

What is the team's thinking on getting Okafor? What I mean is, the Kings are winning right now because the players are all well rounded. At every starting position, and in most of the backup positions, we have a player who can drive, make an open shot from some form of outside, can rebound ok, can pass, and can defend in a group defense setting. We are winning because teams can't focus on any one guy because another will step up, and we are winning because we are "help" defending and group rebounding.

So where would Okafor fit in? He is a rebounder extraordinaire. Ok. The Kings of the past rebounded like the ball was dipped in H1N1, but what about THIS year's team? This year's team is 5th overall in rebound differential since the season began, and first, yes I said FIRST overall at +9.6 over the last 5 games when the team has finally began to come into their own.

If it is he for Thomas straight up then of course it makes sense, but what are these "other considerations" they keep talking about and do we really want to fiddle with team chemistry when it seems we finally have it right after all these years of experimenting?

I just don't know....

Yes, this team's on a roll, and the future looks bright indeed. But we still don't have a strong post defender. We still don't have a shotblocker.

And, as you say, KT straight up makes sense. But I don't think the Hornets are asking for more salary back. I think it's the Kings who are worried about finances, or maybe the Hornets want a pick?

 

[VF21]

And what's wrong with long contracts? It's not like most good players out there just sign 3 year deals... There seems to be a disconnect between having cap space and using it. Everyone is calling for us to sign someone, then we do and all of the sudden its "oh no the contract is too long." Beno and Cisco were clearly ill-advised, but Okafor is way above their level. This isn't a role player. This is the defensive big man we've been clamoring for.

If we're going to have a huge long contract, I'd much rather it be for someone who will clearly be a game changer night in and night out. If Okafur were that player, we wouldn't be getting him for KT. There's a reason he's on the block and IMHO people overlook that at their peril.

But we'll see, won't we? If he comes here I'll support him the way I do any other player in the uniform of the Sacramento Kings. But I will have reservations about this until/unless he proves himself to be worth the money and the contract...which I'm skeptical he'll ever be able to do.

As far as when he was drafted, that's totally moot. It's not when you're drafted that matters after the ink is dry on the contract. It's how you do once you actually become part of the NBA that matters. Okafur has too many questions for me to be comfortable with this as though it's the trade of the century.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

On the contrary, it actually makes the Webber trade look OK (and this is coming from someone who thought it was an absolute disgrace). If you can say you traded Webber for the #2 pick in the 2004 draft, then yes, its starts to make sense, albeit 5 years late.
.

And LPKingsFan wins the thread

See Petrie had a masterful plan all along. Tradeable parts, now it makes sense.

 

[Warhawk]

If we spend $10 mil this offseason, who can we get that is better than Emeka? I don't like the size of the contract, but in today's NBA that is the going rate for a legit double-double center than plays D. Would you rather we use the $10 mil to sign another SF at the MLE and a less than MLE big man or something? Realistically, who would we get that would be better at anchoring the paint?

I would see if we could pair another contract of ours in the deal as well (Sean?) to get a little more relief this year.

He hasn't missed a game in 2 years. He isn't injury-prone. Only JT played every game for us last year.

And I just keep looking at this and finding myself agreeing:

Emeka Okafor is one of the steadiest bigs in the league. Actually he may be the absolute steadiest. he absolutely is what he is. there is no mystery theere. No flop potential barring some freak injury. He just shows up, puts in his double doubel wiht 2 blocks, and goes home. Has done it every year now for 6 years straight, and is still in the prime of his career:

04-05: 35.6min 15.1pts 10.9rebs 1.7blk
05-06: 33.6min 13.2pts 10.0rebs 1.9blk
06-07: 34.8min 14.4pts 11.3rebs 2.6blk
07-08: 33.1min 13.8pts 10.7rebs 1.7blk
08-09: 33.2min 13.2pts 10.1rebs 1.7blk
09-10: 29.7min 10.7pts 9.2rebs 1.9blk

Steady as can be -- you can practically set your watch to him. Where is the bust potential? Even this year's slight dip is mostly due to a few fewr minutes.

Never been in love with the guy, certianly not as THE big on your team. But as a third big? Our trio of bigs would be one of the most talented frontcourts in the league.

 

[NME]

If we're going to have a huge long contract, I'd much rather it be for someone who will clearly be a game changer night in and night out. If Okafur were that player, we wouldn't be getting him for KT. There's a reason he's on the block and IMHO people overlook that at their peril.

I don't know how much more of a game changer than a walking double-double plus legit defensive factor we can expect to get with cap space. He's only on the block because of NO's financial situation, which we could be in a position to take advantage of.

 

[Section 101]

If we're going to have a huge long contract, I'd much rather it be for someone who will clearly be a game changer night in and night out. If Okafur were that player, we wouldn't be getting him for KT. There's a reason he's on the block and IMHO people overlook that at their peril.

A bird in the hand is better than 2 in the bush. If it comes to KT straight for Okafor you do it. You may end up with nothing if you wait.

 

[Bricklayer]

What happens if we end up stuck with Okafur's contract? Doesn't that just extend the Webber debacle into the far distant future? If we're going to trade KT away, I'd much rather see it be for someone/anyone who doesn't automatically become the longest contract on our books.

Being stuck with the contract of a guy who goes about 13pts 10rebs 2blks a year is not the hugest curse in the world. It MIGHT be if you were tryign to rebuild, but people need to flip that switch. If we are heading back up and trying to win we WILL be pciking up contracts, and should be. The fanbase here feels like the handling on a '72 Oldsmobile luxury car -- all mushy and with a slow turn radius. For all thso years when we should have been rebuilding, people kicked and screamed and fought against the rebuilding tactics -- clearing salaries, diving down for high draft picks, playin youth. Now all of a sudden the rebuild may be complete and the climb back up imminent, and people who took years to finally settle on rebuilding strategies are now finding it hard to siwtch back into winning strategies -- i.e. add salaries, plug holes with vets, etc.

Questions would be:

1) do we want a defensive/reboundign center?
Answer: yes

2) are we going to want a defensive/rebounding center 4 years from now?
Answer: yes

3) what's the going rate for a good defensive rebounding center?
Answer: $10+mil (see Dalembert, Chandler, Varejao etc. for going rates -- normally about a 5yr $50mil contract)

So now we have a chance to get one...more or less for free. We're going to need one, not only this year, but going forward. Its utter foolishness to think we will ever be big winners without vast improvement in that part of our game. And we aren't going to get a high quality one much cheaper. They cost what they cost.

Arguments are the opportunity cost of giving up KT -- that maybe we can turn him into Bosh, or use the capspace this summer to sign Bosh. But that really is not terribly likely. Or that we are going to get stuck with a big contract...except that 1) we need the type of player that contract represnets, and would have to pay anybody we got at that level with that game about the same, and 2) since players at that level and with that game all cost in that range, the contract may likely be moveable.