I like this kid, he is just dysfunctional enough to be a great Knick! Seriously though, I would be on the phone with Philly right now. He would compliment KP effectively with his post up game and allow KP to remain a stretch four. I would even give up a 1st rd pick for this deal...ok wait, hear me out
I would offer Philly Brandon Jennings and our 1st rd pick with protections that assure that it will not be conveyed this year. If we can stay in the top ten, we could come out of the draft with a starting caliber PG. Our starting 5 would look like this next year
PG - 2017 draft
SG - Lee
SF - Melo
PF - KP
C - Okafor
We would still also have our young and deep bench that brings the energy and effort every night. This trade would also move Baker up the depth chart to develop and audition for next year. Knicks should also try and move O'Q so Willy can also move up the depth chart.
I'm guessing that a few years from now, this would look as bad as giving up a 1st round pick for Bargnani. They could have a high 2nd round pick but not a first for Okafor.
Bonn1997 wrote:I'm guessing that a few years from now, this would look as bad as giving up a 1st round pick for Bargnani. They could have a high 2nd round pick but not a first for Okafor.
The rumor was the Pelicans were willing to give up their first (which looks like a high lottery pick) for him. The two players rumored going to the Sixers also sat out the pelicans last game for 'personal reasons'.
No way I'd give up a first for him- I'd maybe do an OK4 for Rose, but then he doesn't fit with Willy, KP and we have KOQ and Noah.
Bonn1997 wrote:I'm guessing that a few years from now, this would look as bad as giving up a 1st round pick for Bargnani. They could have a high 2nd round pick but not a first for Okafor.
Okafor is a much better athlete then Bargs was, and he's 21. He will learn to play defense at the NBA level. His offensive game is pretty polished. We need young talented players on rookie contracts to grow with. His stock is down now but comparing his career trajectory to Bargs is a low blow man!
How could okafor already be worth so little? They projected him as the next tim duncan. Is he that bad? Turns out the knicks would have for sure drafted him at #3 and we would all be wishing we had drafted porzingis. Seems like okafor isn't such a great rebounder or defender?
SkyWalker wrote:How could okafor already be worth so little? They projected him as the next tim duncan. Is he that bad? Turns out the knicks would have for sure drafted him at #3 and we would all be wishing we had drafted porzingis. Seems like okafor isn't such a great rebounder or defender?
I think you can attribute his decline to the dysfunction in Philly with the return of Embid. I would look at his production from last year when he was a starter and knew his role on the team. Probably will never be an elite defender or rebounder, but he is 21 and on a rookie contract. My recollection from last year was of Okafor and KP having some pretty even battles, both showing their offensive potential and defensive liabilities. Okafor is pretty much buckets from 15' and in. KP can spread the floor and cut. I could see them as a good fit together offensively. Could be problematic on defense and rebounding. KP and Noah aren't holding down the paint either but when Noah has had a good offensive game it was generally a team win. Okafor is a guy who could give you 17 points+ a game with starters ,inutes
Rookie wrote:I like this kid, he is just dysfunctional enough to be a great Knick! Seriously though, I would be on the phone with Philly right now. He would compliment KP effectively with his post up game and allow KP to remain a stretch four. I would even give up a 1st rd pick for this deal...ok wait, hear me outI would offer Philly Brandon Jennings and our 1st rd pick with protections that assure that it will not be conveyed this year. If we can stay in the top ten, we could come out of the draft with a starting caliber PG. Our starting 5 would look like this next year
PG - 2017 draft
SG - Lee
SF - Melo
PF - KP
C - Okafor
We would still also have our young and deep bench that brings the energy and effort every night. This trade would also move Baker up the depth chart to develop and audition for next year. Knicks should also try and move O'Q so Willy can also move up the depth chart.
Trading for OK4 would be a horrible idea for us. Why would we want to take more minutes away from KP, Billy, KOQ and we still have J.Noah who needs to play. Everyone is so focused on the bad contract Phil gave him that you're now thinking the guy still can't play and give us some good minutes on the floor. Yes Phil gave him too much money and years but he can still rebound the ball, pass the ball and play somewhat good defense which OK4 plays none of. We're good with big men and need to focus on areas that we actually need help.
I'm not saying the kid can't play and isn't good offensively cause he is but we just don't need any more big men. Maybe if KOQ was included in the deal then it would be alright but as of now we're good at center.
SkyWalker wrote:How could okafor already be worth so little? They projected him as the next tim duncan. Is he that bad? Turns out the knicks would have for sure drafted him at #3 and we would all be wishing we had drafted porzingis. Seems like okafor isn't such a great rebounder or defender?
From what I have read, the problems seem to be he's an awful rebounder and terrible defender and his style of play seems to be going out of fashion (see Monroe). Also some people soured on him due to the fights he got into while out partying. His post play is still a thing of beauty though
Wiily, O'Q and Noah haven't shown that they either can or should still be a starter in this league.
Rookie wrote:Bonn1997 wrote:I'm guessing that a few years from now, this would look as bad as giving up a 1st round pick for Bargnani. They could have a high 2nd round pick but not a first for Okafor.
Okafor is a much better athlete then Bargs was, and he's 21. He will learn to play defense at the NBA level. His offensive game is pretty polished. We need young talented players on rookie contracts to grow with. His stock is down now but comparing his career trajectory to Bargs is a low blow man!
Okafor didn't play defense in college (supposedly because he was so valuable they didn't want to risk foul trouble), he hasn't played defense in the NBA so far. Low energy guys usually do not learn to play defense. If given minutes, Okafor will easily give you 17+ ppg no matter where he plays. The problem is you won't get much else from him and he's liable to give up more than he contributes. No rebounding, no defense, little energy, no passing. If we could get him on the cheap I would roll the dice on him, but I'm not giving up 1st round picks.
Okafor is bound to be another Derrick Williams, Evan Turner-type. Really high lotto picks who are good enough to always find a gig but not worth giving up much to obtain.
Bonn1997 wrote:I'm guessing that a few years from now, this would look as bad as giving up a 1st round pick for Bargnani. They could have a high 2nd round pick but not a first for Okafor.
Ajinca and Moore are the guys that seem to be leaving the Pelicans. I think Moore has been a disappointment so far. Both guys have years on their contract. Also, I think the Sixers would have to send Sergio to make the dollars work.
I like Okafor but we have decent big men on our roster ..
We just need a decent coaching staff (Oakley instead of Rambis LOL) plus if we had NO-MELO on the roster our front court big men of Noah/Quinn/Willie would be a dominating factor in the Eastern Conference averaging 24 minute playing time a night each in our rotation.
Our to weak big men Melo and KP are lazy n clueless on the defensive end.
Second season Okafor is 10 times better at the PF position than Melo ..
Yes! i would trade Melo to the 76ers in a heart beat for Okafor and a future first rounder.
Okafor is good young player, but we are stocked with decent (but not great/starter)bigmen already. If we were to go after another 4 or 5 - I'd love to chase Ibaka as he defends/protects the paint, can shift between 4 and 5, and has extended his range. Unless the Magic would be interested in Rose (both expire at end of season), don't think there is a deal there. Somehow subtracting Rose and Melo, and adding an Ibaka and a Rubio could change both the defense, the iso culture and the chemistry...
I think next to Davis, he would be good and I might be willing to give up a mid first rounder for him (but it would have to. E top-10 protected) The main thing with okafor is he really needs to put in work on his conditioning and lateral quickness. If he can turn himself into at least an average defender, his offensive skill will make him a plus on any team. He also needs to develop a jumpshot. His low post game though is highly advanced.
Kemet wrote:I like Okafor but we have decent big men on our roster ..
We just need a decent coaching staff (Oakley instead of Rambis LOL) plus if we had NO-MELO on the roster our front court big men of Noah/Quinn/Willie would be a dominating factor in the Eastern Conference averaging 24 minute playing time a night each in our rotation.
Our to weak big men Melo and KP are lazy n clueless on the defensive end.
Second season Okafor is 10 times better at the PF position than Melo ..
Yes! i would trade Melo to the 76ers in a heart beat for Okafor and a future first rounder.
No, no, no! Okafor can not play PF! And of course we would trade Melo for Okafor and a 1st rounder. Problem is NO WAY Philly makes that trade, not even close.
Melo and KP are "lazy and clueless" on defense, but you want Okafor? Wow!
