Is Charlotte Bobcats Emeka Okafor about to be traded?
The New Orleans Hornets have finally made a big move this offseason. And that move means a change in the middle and a new big man in the Big Easy. Multiple sources report that New Orleans is completing a trade to send center Tyson Chandler to Charlotte in exchange for Emeka Okafor. The deal will likely be finalized Tuesday. NBA sources confirmed to ESPN’s Mark Stein that talks had been ongoing since last week between the two teams. It is a straight-up swap of starting centers with similar ages and skills. The Hornets had a deal in principle to trade Chandler to the Thunder for Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith before last season’s trade deadline, but the deal was nixed when Chandler failed his physical in Oklahoma City due to concerns about a lingering left toe injury. Chandler (7-1, 235) had offseason surgeries to address toe and ankle issues after playing in only 45 games last season. He averaged 8.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in a disappointing season compared to 2007-08 when he averaged 11.8
We’ve all seen the FanShot. We’ve all had our knee jerk reactions to the possible Emeka Okafor for Tyson Chandler trade. The SB Nation Hornets blog, At the Hive, is cautiously optimistic. I brought the FanShot to the front page, then went to my yoga class to seek serenity. (Really, I did.) Now that I’m back, I think I’ve settled into a tentative position on the trade as reported. Star-divide There is no way this is about present day talent and it can’t be about saving money in the present day; look up all the stats and scouting reports you want, but Chandler doesn’t quite match up to Okafor, and he makes more money each of the next two seasons. If the Bobcats make this trade thinking they are getting the better present day player, it will be dumb luck if it works out in our favor. Okafor is an elite defender, whereas Chandler is very good when he’s at his best, but Okafor’s also had a better or equal PER each year they’ve both been in the league, and that’s with lesser PGs in Charlotte
Marc Stein of ESPN is reporting the New Orleans Hornets and Charlotte Bobcats are talking trade, with the key players being centers Tyson Chandler and Emeka Okafor. Chandler is owed $25.5 million over the next two seasons by the Hornets; he has an Early Termination Option for the $13.2 million in 2010-11. Chandler played only 45 games in 2008-09, averaging 8.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks on 56.5% shooting from the field. Okafor is owed over $60 million for the next five seasons. In 2008-09 he played in all 82 games for the second consecutive season, averaging 14.5 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks on 56.1% shooting from the field.
