[ropeParticipant]

 The rumor is out there the Pelicans are in talks to acquire Okafor from Philadelphia.  On first blush, I like it.  I think he would work out well next to Davis, who would cover for some of the problems Okafor has on defense and rebounding.

[Sewok15Participant]

This is probably a risk worth taking for the Pelicans because Okafor is a potential 20 ppg center in the league. We all know his shortcomings though. I don’t know how I would feel about this if I were the brow…you are going to make up for his lack of defense and rebounding while also recieving less post touches. 

 

The Sixers should take just about any first round pick for Jah at this point considering his value isn’t going to skyrocket since he only plays 30% of their games. 

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

I’m sure Davis will be excited to play more on the perimeter and not have to Gaurd the C position. Most skinny PF’s prefer this. He rarely is in the low post nowadays and is more a high post/face up and stretch big man that excels in transition. Everyone bashes Thibs for putting his guys in situations where they are prone to injury but the Pelicans have done the same for Davis his whole career and it hasn’t even resulted in wins.

[IlladelphParticipant]

Okafor to anywhere is a good idea.  He needs a fresh start.  He hasn’t been able to crack the lineup in a consistent way Philly, and now with Embiid playing so well I don’t see him ever becoming a regular starter for the Sixers.  He definitely has the talent to be a starter or a regular rotation player in the NBA, but he needs to be in the right situation.  Could it be Nola?  Could see him get a lot better with the Spurs.  Could see him in Orlando too.  Okafor, wherever he lands though, needs to get better defensively if he is ever going to be a starter and a dominant NBA player.  If he developed some rim protection he could be really good.

[IlladelphParticipant]

Okafor to anywhere is a good idea.  He needs a fresh start.  He hasn’t been able to crack the lineup in a consistent way Philly, and now with Embiid playing so well I don’t see him ever becoming a regular starter for the Sixers.  He definitely has the talent to be a starter or a regular rotation player in the NBA, but he needs to be in the right situation.  Could it be Nola?  Could see him get a lot better with the Spurs.  Could see him in Orlando too.  Okafor, wherever he lands though, needs to get better defensively if he is ever going to be a starter and a dominant NBA player.  If he developed some rim protection he could be really good.

[r377Participant]

I like it for New Orleans.

Rumor Alexis Ajinca and a first round pick. There has been discussions and NO want to make it a lottery protected first rounder. The only question for Phillie is when are NO actually going to make the playoffs so they can get this pick ? Davis is injury prone and if he goes down this season or the following couple of seasons the Pelicans won’t be making the playoffs.

[negguaryParticipant]

why Bryan is not making the deal… he the protection to be in the 5-10 range. Say what you want no one is giving Oak away with two year left on a rookie deal, still too much time for him to show you something or for the GM to figure out a better package. Because at the end of the day if he goes to another team and reaches his full potential, and you were the GM that gave him away for nothing???

[holefillers1Participant]

 If its lotto protected then just cut Jahlil.  Guy brings nothing to the team. Ballll stop! Ball stop! Ballstop! Spell it anyway you want…see

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 Amazing to see the way fans see his trade value now compared to about 6 months ago.  There were people on here saying Boston should trade the 3rd pick for Okafor leading up to draft night.  

[The GoatParticipant]

 There were people on here adamant he should have gone #1 and absolutey no later than 3 in the draft, now many of the same people say he’s trash and neg trade ideas that involve him. Experts…

Nola is a good fit. There aren’t many unless he plans to be another Enes Kanter. 

Real GM article says UFA Jrue Holiday is in the package instead of Ajinca. 

 

  

[holefillers1Participant]

 Funny, I compared Okafor to Enes Kanter on all the boards…Suffered the death of a thousand negs for it

[binetParticipant]

 You have to consider the quality of the draft too. Last year at number 3, Philly was eyeing at Jaylen Brown or Kris Dunn, who most people, even adamant anti-Okafor fans would not trade Jahlil for right now.

 

[DolanCareParticipant]

Pairing up Okafor and Davis is a good idea on paper, not in practice. I get the idea: Rim protection and perimeter play from Davis meets crappy defense and low-post scoring from Jahlil. They compliment each other in some rudimentary way.

But how does Okafor take pressure off of Davis on defense? Hewon’t. AD will still be stuck defending the best big man on the opposing team. If defense is the concern, then Asik makes more sense honestly.

How does Okafor take pressure off of Davis of offense? He won’t. No modern NBA offense function by simply feeding the big man down low ala Eddy Curry.  Okafor will just clog up the paint which does not help AD in any way.

The Pelicans should not give up ANY first round pick for Okafor. If they’re willing to dish 1st rounders, then try to get a wing in return, something they REALLY need. 

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

Ummmm Omer Asik, really? It’s crazy how perception blinds fans these days. The narrative around Asik is that he’s a good defender but a poor offensive player. But if you really watch game film, he’s as worse in defense as in offense. 

At least Jahlil has legs. Omer Asik look like he should be playing division 2 Euro ball. Watch game film please and don’t follow a player’s narratives. We all know how that turned out with the Raptors and Demarre Carroll. 

 

[DolanCareParticipant]

 Relax man. I know Asik is washed, he can barely move. So Okafor may be better simply because he has young legs, but that’s hardly a standard to be proud of. 

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

I can see it working.  Davis is skinny man.  Used to playing like a guard.  Is Davis comapred to Hakeem due to his post reportoire?  No.  My only knock on Davis is his lack of fire, and lack of strength.

I’ve said this so many times.  Where is the guy from college and USA national with Lebron when he was literally throwing down crazy power dunks?

I think he is a weaker player and teh NBA bigs are beating him up a little bit.  I don’t think he’s been able to grow into his massive frame.  He’s just not as explosive as he used to be. Also, he’s not inspiring.  Nothing about Davis is like Tom Brady passion and fire.  I don’t get it the way I can get it from Lebron KD or Westbrook, I feel he needs some of that.

The problem for them is, Okafor is exactly the same.  The dude is really passive.  But offensively, I see it somewhat intriguing.  Davis hangs on the perimeter and if they slow down the half court offense enough, Jah will be there to command the ball in the post.  This is not at all like pairing him with Noel and Embiid who want to hang around the paint.  Davis doesn’t want to be around the paint unless its for rebounds.  

On Defense, Oak will still handle the other side’s biggest guy.  The problem was Oak coudln’t play perimeter defense and it was a waste to put Noel and Embiid out there.  I think Davis will be very comfortable guarding smaller stretch 4s while Oak can handle the perimeter.  The only problem is the rebounding.  Its not terrible because it works offensively.  

Oak is a totally different animal from Ajinca or Asik.  I’ll miss Oak, but what a terrible pick.

For Philly, Oak’s defensive woes and ball stopping made him unplayable.  To get Jrue Holiday back, again, Jrue is a low energy player and I don’t think he is a winner.  I don’t like the idea of paying him a lot of money to be a senior guard for us.  Colangelo better not give up Luwawu, or Korkmaz, or TJMc to acquire him.  I’m not opposed to trading Stauskas or Sergio Rodriguez, or Henderson or Bayless for him.  

Ajinca is a decent third or 4th center.  I really hope the pick is only top 5 protected if they can get to that point.  Tired of watiign around for these protected picks.  

But man, if we had just gotten Russel he would’ve been a great fit next to Embiid and Simmons.  Porzingis woudl’ve been amazing.  Let’s just see.

Not that happy about Holiday for Oak…but as long as its Holiday and ap ick I don’t mind.  I don’t want to give up Holmes, TLC, Korkmaz, or other assets just for Jrue Holiday.  I don’t see Jrue as a winner, I’d rather have any of the college freshman point guards to grow with.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[HitsterParticipant]

My query would be if Oak can play C with AD as PF on offence then why could it not work for Philly with Embeast as PF on offence unless Pelicans are going to decide to take a hit on D with Oak on court. Embeast is physically bigger than AD so would outmatch PFs more than AD does potentially.

Any return for Oak or Noel is effectively a bonus for Philly now.

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

Davis was a former guard who grew into a massive person, but he still has guard instincts.  He’s not a true big man, and is forced to play in the paint due to his size and length.

Embiid and Noel really cannot exist on the perimeter.  The Sixers tried it, it did not feel right.  Embiid is too dynamic to be giving the ball into the post to Oak. 

I think Davis will hang around perimeter and shoot midrange jumpers, and if they double him they’ll dump it off in the paint to Oak.  The difference is, Davis is comfortable in the perimeter while Embiid is NOT.

Its a better fit for New Orleans than it is for Philly for sure.  I don’t like either Oak nor Davis mentality, they are too passive, but let’s see. 

I’m actually interested to see it!

 

 

 

  

[mgreener_34Participant]

 This would be a great trade for the Pels. Getting rip of AA’s terrible contract, and it gives them a legit young core to move foward with. Having a young core of Okafor, Davis, and Heild gives them a nice inside out game, and with a top pick in this years draft they would easily be able to get a high potential SF or PG depending on who’s available. 

Right now the mock has them getting tatum, who would be perfect for them, gives them more size, a good cutter, and potential to grow with the guys mentioned above. If the Pels could somehow land a guy like Smith then watch out for this team moving foward. 

Honestly this is the type of move the Pels should be looking to make. No more aging vets with AD, PLEASE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

Any of the PGs young PGs would be a great fit for NO.  Thats why I don’t get why the Sixers really want Jrue so bad.

You get the younger dynamic PG like Smith or even Fox or Ntilinka, Ball would be a great fit for New Orleans, and of course Fultz, and you have a maestro with more intangibles than Holiday and you got yourself a system to work with.  

They are then kind of in a similar situation to Philly, needing guards and swings.  This is the draft to refill your roster with some solid contributors.

With Oak, Davis, and Hield going forward….

Any of Fultz, Ball, Smith, Fox, Ntilinka, Isaac, Jackson, or Tatum works.  

New Orleans will be exciting.  

 

 

 

 

  

[binetParticipant]

 Under the new CBA, I am not sure AA’s contract is "terrible", it’s not good, but it’s a contract under the nontaxpayer mid-level exception, so not really a contract that affects your ability to sign other key guys. It’s below what you give to any rotation player anyway.

Philly could lose money with the salary floor rules if they trade for a player with a salary not matching Okafor’s also.

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 They should really move Tyreke Evans at this point. I would love to see him on Memphis in the same role Stephenson excelled in a while ago. Or on a team with a lot of shooting.

[properbreaksParticipant]

Once again, it’s some people on here who really, really overrate defense. I guess it’s the new supposed thing to say to seem like they really know basketball inside and out. It’s nothing personal against anybody either. But to talk about a guy in his second year who has all of the talent that Okafur has and say he’s useless because he’s not Dennis Rodman in his second year, makes me laugh every time.
It’s way easier to be a decent or good defensive player than it ever will be to be a good offensive player. It’s more effort and learning basic defensive techniques then anything. It’s about position and any decent coach will know a player’s deficiencies and be able to mask it thru the team’s defensive concept as long as the player tries.
Post scorers aren’t useless. It depends on the team as a whole. 20 points is 20 points. If you have Steph and Clay, they are supposed to shoot. If you have Lebron and Kyrie, let them drive. San Antonio won how may titles with a dominant big?
If I’m NO I would love this move. They can have Holiday or Tyreke.and a lottery protected draft pick. It’ll finally give them some direction

[holefillers1Participant]

 20 points is not 20 points if it takes you 18 shots to get there.

  Okafor is a 6’11 270lbs ballarina.  He has no power game, and needs to put the ball on the floor to get into rythym just to use one of these tip toe spin moves.  Never in position for rebounds. Actually he doesnt even try to rebound anymore. He just boxes out so maybe someone else can get the board.  And yeah like I said he is a huge ball stop.  That’s just on offense.  Defense is all about effort and he puts forth non.  Slow plodding feet.  No lateral quickness. If he is on the court with AD he will clog up everything.  That’s why he is a healthy scratch every time Embiid plays.  Go watch a Sixers game.  Sounds like you haven’t

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

we’re down on Oak because we see the dropoff when Embiid isn’t in the game.  Its much less of a dropoff with Noel.  Oak gives you no effort.  Maybe where he will be featured he’ll be better, but he’s a ball stopper on offense and a black hole on defense.  I hate when the ball gets stuck down there with him.  Its not like you can throw up a lob for him to put it away either which gets the offense in a flow.  He literally has to post-up, everything needs to shut down, and then he’ll get his points by going to work.  Maybe the Sixers could have done a better job by having players move around him better, but I’m pretty happy wiht what they are running now.  For some reason, Embiid is a post player, but it never feels like the ball stops with him.  

Oak is basically Al Jefferson 2.0, but again, let’s see what he does in NO.  

Its a major upgrade for them compared to what they have.  Why not?  

 

  

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