RealGM

This came out of way left field but knowing the money strapping franchise in the Hornets and their recent lack of success, an expiring contract in Thomas for Okafor may be ideal for them:

via Sam Amick's twitter:

A source with knowledge of situation says #nbakings and New Orleans have had discussions regarding an Emeka Okafor for Kenny Thomas deal.

http://twitter.com/sam_amick/statuses/5717549705

Can we add Martin and bring CP3 too

(Not happening, I know)

Wow

If that happened, would would have thought last season that we could get Okafor for only Kenny Thomas?

I think this is the guy if you want a defensive anchor and be instantly better on the defensive impact and rebounding aspect of the game. And this is also be probably the best we can do in terms of getting a high-caliber player in Sacramento.

What do you guys think?

Yeah, I think we have to do it (regardless of Okafor's long term contract), this IS the fortunate time to get a player on the cheap due to the franchise's money obligations in the Hornets.

The only problem is, if we do this trade, it automatically means that Hawes is coming off the bench. There's no way you trade for a guy who is making Martin type money and not start him.

Love it. It sacrafices our cap space at the end of next year, but we're obviously not going to be a much of a player in FA anyway, and Okafor fits SO DAMN WELL with JThompson/Hawes. I think this trade would instantly make us better.

xx_skaterdude_xx wrote:The only problem is, if we do this trade, it automatically means that Hawes is coming off the bench. There's no way you trade for a guy who is making Martin type money and not start him.

Worth it. Totally worth it. Although I do think that another option would be to start Spencer at PF. But personally, with Tyreke and Spencer not fitting perfectly, I'm still not against the idea of bringing Spencer off the bench and having him be the main source of offense there. Spencer is much better when things are running through him.

Anyway, I would throw Casspi into this deal without even thinking about. Either Casspi or Greene and lotto protected 1st. Okafor would be perfect here.

Well, at this point, it is only discussion, so a deal may very well not happen.

.....

Yeah, this move would certainly move Hawes to the bench and Okafor at the center position. I think is will rely if the Kings are truly in love in Hawes as their future center.

I am a fan of Okafor for a while. I love his defensive and rebounding prowess. I think he will make this team much better. He would be that defensive anchor that we longed for since years. His offensive abilities are overstated, he is capable of playing in the post and having a impact down low on both sides.

If I were a religious person I would be praying for this deal, it's just about the most perfect outcome you could hope for.

Love it! Lets speed up this "rebuilding" phase even more..I think if they do this deal, it does not mean Spencer is not the center of the future...it does hinder his development, but then there is the advantages of having him being on a team that is winning games and gaining experience.

mitchweber wrote:

xx_skaterdude_xx wrote:The only problem is, if we do this trade, it automatically means that Hawes is coming off the bench. There's no way you trade for a guy who is making Martin type money and not start him.

Worth it. Totally worth it. Although I do think that another option would be to start Spencer at PF. But personally, with Tyreke and Spencer not fitting perfectly, I'm still not against the idea of bringing Spencer off the bench and having him be the main source of offense there. Spencer is much better when things are running through him.

Anyway, I would throw Casspi into this deal without even thinking about. Either Casspi or Greene and lotto protected 1st. Okafor would be perfect here.

After how JT has started the season, there is no way he put him on the bench. Hawes would have to be the one coming off the bench.

I don't think we would be trading Casspi in the deal, not after all the fan-fare he brings to us from Israel, it's just too early to trade him. It would have to be Greene, most likely.

Now, would all of you still agree to the trade, if it was KT, Greene and a top 5 protected 1st? Meaning, most likely, we wouldn't have a 1st round pick this year (let's say we get pick #12). And then we're stuck with some pretty long term contracts (Beno, Okafor, Noci, Martin).

xx_skaterdude_xx wrote:
After how JT has started the season, there is no way he put him on the bench. Hawes would have to be the one coming off the bench.

I don't think we would be trading Casspi in the deal, not after all the fan-fare he brings to us from Israel, it's just too early to trade him. It would have to be Greene, most likely.

Now, would all of you still agree to the trade, if it was KT, Greene and a top 5 protected 1st? Meaning, most likely, we wouldn't have a 1st round pick this year (let's say we get pick #12). And then we're stuck with some pretty long term contracts (Beno, Okafor, Noci, Martin).

Only if you look at going to the bench as a definite demotion. I would argue that it's more about what the best fit is for the team. I would certain argue that Ginobili wasn't "demoted to coming off the bench in SA.

And I would certainly start with Greene, but if it came down to "Casspi or no deal", I would trade Casspi.

And I don't know if I would throw in a pick that was only top 5 protected. It would probably have to be at least top 10 for me to bite--at least if Donte is included. Even then, that's tough.

I don't think we'd have to add anything to the deal, honestly. New Orleans as apparently so cheap. If we had too, I'd part with Donte, but I'd reallly reaaaalllly not part with Casspi

I don't think we would have to thrown in Casspi. Let's not forget, we have just won 4 straight and are on the rise (hopefully). We have no reason to take on Okafor's long term contract. Meanwhile, the Hornets just lost Paul to an ankle injury (2 weeks to a month?), fired their coach and want to cut salary ASAP. I think KT + a few perks might do it for them. If we have to thrown in our 1st or a young prospect, no thanks.

wow....

KT's expiring, a first pick + casspi or greene?

that seems like a lot for okafor.

casspi and KT bring more together than what okafor brings alone. Sure okafor will bring us blocks but the defensive pressure casspi can/will eventually bring is so much more imporant.

No one knows what exactly the deal was, but KT/Okafor were obviously the main pieces of it. Casspi won't be traded, though.

Casspi is going no where.

I'd do Thomas + 2nd for Okafor. Maybe throw in Greene. This would be amazing for the Kings. I would expect playoffs after this deal.

BY THE WAY

With Thomas playing so well for us, how ironic would it be if we resigned him next year? We wait all these years for him to expire and then offer the vet min. hahaha, I just think that would be hilarious.

Nicky Nix Nook wrote:BY THE WAY

With Thomas playing so well for us, how ironic would it be if we resigned him next year? We wait all these years for him to expire and then offer the vet min. hahaha, I just think that would be hilarious.

Now with us having a coach that he seems to like (because he actually plays him), who knows. But I think KT will try to sign with a contending team if he's going to sign for the vet min.