**Okafor/Beasly Is Our ONLY Option**

[The Sixer Fixer]

There's way more options than just Okafor and Beasley. First off, I would completely dispute your statement that Okafor is a true PF who is playing out of position at C. I actually think his quickness (or lack off) fits way better at C defensively than is does at PF. Secondly, we can forget about Okafor. Charlotte didn't invest the 2nd overall pick on him to let him walk as a RFA. They will match any offer made to Okafor. I'm sure they will leak that out so as to deter an teams from actually making an offer and driving up the price. There would be no point in offering him more than he's worth just to see if the Bobcats match. He's not worth a max offer...not even close. Signing guys like Iguoldala and Okafor to contracts for more than what they are wroth is what will set this franchise back again.

As for Beasley, that's such a long shot. We would have to get REAL lucky in the lottery. If you sit around and think these are the ONLY two options, you are going to be extreemly disappointed.

In the draft, there's other guys who could turn into pretty good NBA PF's. You have Griffin, Arthur, Love, Jason Thompson (very intriguing), Lopez (though I see him as a C), Patterson (undersized, but plays like a beast in the post).

In FA, in addition to Okafor, you have Jamison, Smith, Krstic (everyone is sleeping on this guy) and possible ETO guys in Brand, O'Neal and Marion.

There you have a lot more guys who might be obtainable via a trade.

It's way too early to propose our hopes lie with only Okafor and Beasley. Okafor wouldn't even be close to the top of my list if I'm looking for the long term PF option.

[tk76]

My not so bold prediction...

My guess is that of all the guys listed, we will be looking at a Frontcourt rotation of Sam/Kristic/Smith next year. Insert Young when we want to go small.

This is not a contending type line-up, but it willl be young, versitile and won't break the bank. That will give us decent options and leave us in a position to make a bigger deal for a star quality big if/when they become available.

That rotation allows us to go big, small, athletic or good shooting depending on match-ups. Unfortunately, none of the players are great, but they should comnplement each other well.

[bigdavid]

I would love to get Charlie V here. I think he would be a big help. Sadly he reminds me of Tim Thomas.

[THFM]

There's way more options than just Okafor and Beasley. First off, I would completely dispute your statement that Okafor is a true PF who is playing out of position at C. I actually think his quickness (or lack off) fits way better at C defensively than is does at PF. Secondly, we can forget about Okafor. Charlotte didn't invest the 2nd overall pick on him to let him walk as a RFA. They will match any offer made to Okafor. I'm sure they will leak that out so as to deter an teams from actually making an offer and driving up the price. There would be no point in offering him more than he's worth just to see if the Bobcats match. He's not worth a max offer...not even close. Signing guys like Iguoldala and Okafor to contracts for more than what they are wroth is what will set this franchise back again.

As for Beasley, that's such a long shot. We would have to get REAL lucky in the lottery. If you sit around and think these are the ONLY two options, you are going to be extreemly disappointed.

In the draft, there's other guys who could turn into pretty good NBA PF's. You have Griffin, Arthur, Love, Jason Thompson (very intriguing), Lopez (though I see him as a C), Patterson (undersized, but plays like a beast in the post).

In FA, in addition to Okafor, you have Jamison, Smith, Krstic (everyone is sleeping on this guy) and possible ETO guys in Brand, O'Neal and Marion.

There you have a lot more guys who might be obtainable via a trade.

It's way too early to propose our hopes lie with only Okafor and Beasley. Okafor wouldn't even be close to the top of my list if I'm looking for the long term PF option.

Jamison is too old to invest into he has 2 years tops, same with Marion he maybe has 3. Brand had a serious injury and if you think investing in him is more of a setback then giving oakfor the max your crazy....

[The Sixer Fixer]

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Jamison is too old to invest into he has 2 years tops, same with Marion he maybe has 3. Brand had a serious injury and if you think investing in him is more of a setback then giving oakfor the max your crazy....

Agree, about Jamison being on the older side. I'm just saying there's options. In defense of Jamison, he's playing as well as he has his entrire career. Would not be my first choice, but he would improve this team a ton. We don't have to solve all the problems this year. Jamison still has a lot to offer IMO. He's got way more than 2 years left. His game isn't built on athleticism. As for Marion, I think he's got a good 4-5 years leff.

As for Okafor and Brand, I disagree 100%. We would only go after Brand if he proves he healthy. If that's the case, I would MUCH rather give him 15-16 mil/yr over Okafor. Brand is only 2.5 years older and is a much better offensive force (something we really need in the post). There offensive skills really aren't even close at all. When pairing a guy with Sam, Brand is a much better fit than Okafor. Also, I think getting a guy like Brand would help us a lot more in attracting other good FA's too (or resigning Miller after next year).

[THFM]

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Agree, about Jamison being on the older side. I'm just saying there's options. In defense of Jamison, he's playing as well as he has his entrire career. Would not be my first choice, but he would improve this team a ton. We don't have to solve all the problems this year. Jamison still has a lot to offer IMO. He's got way more than 2 years left. His game isn't built on athleticism. As for Marion, I think he's got a good 4-5 years leff.

As for Okafor and Brand, I disagree 100%. We would only go after Brand if he proves he healthy. If that's the case, I would MUCH rather give him 15-16 mil/yr over Okafor. Brand is only 2.5 years older and is a much better offensive force (something we really need in the post). There offensive skills really aren't even close at all. When pairing a guy with Sam, Brand is a much better fit than Okafor. Also, I think getting a guy like Brand would help us a lot more in attracting other good FA's too (or resigning Miller after next year).

I still disagree with Marion. He is going to turn 30 this May adn you really think he will still be good around 34-35 years old? Not many players can even make it to that age and still play. His level of play will DRAMATICALLY decrease around that age. That's why I'm not committed to Marion. Not only that Marion isn't even a PF...he is like Josh Smith a SF playing PF. Plus you contracdicted yourself. You said Jameison game isn't built around athleticism, but Marion's is and you think Marion is going last longer then Jamieson?

That makes utterly no sense. Trust me each of them have another 2 years tops. Plus don't be fooled with Marion is playing uptemp with Nash and Amare getting most of the double teams. Maybe this is where I give Jamieson the heads up because he is getting some double teams along with Butler and is playing well.

As for Brand, I never liked his style and he really reminds me of T Mac. A great offensive threat and nice all round game, but isnt' a proven winner. Dont' get me wrong neither is Okafor, but were not sure yet becasue his team has a horrible coach and never made the playoffs. Clippers had there wonderful fluke year and Cassell was playing he was 22 years old. I still think Okafor is the anwser at PF.

[The Sixer Fixer]

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Plus you contracdicted yourself. You said Jameison game isn't built around athleticism, but Marion's is and you think Marion is going last longer then Jamieson?

That makes utterly no sense. Trust me each of them have another 2 years tops.

I didn't contradict anything. Jamison is 2 years older than Marion. Marion is still only 29, so I see no reason he can't still be very good at 33-34 yrs old. Look at his body type...he stays in shape...he's not the type of guy who is going to fade overnight. I guess you think Kobe (same age) is going to be done in a year or 2 also? How many times on this very board did people say Iverson will having nothing left in a few years (people been saying that for like 5 years it seems). How old is KG? I guess he will be washed up by next year too. Marion is a non-traditional 4 (and not my first choice), not going to argue that, but his style would probably fit perfectly with what Ed seems this team as (athletic team).

As for Jamison, I seriously doubt a guy who's having his best rebounding, and one of his best scoring seasons, has a MAX of 2 years left. His numbers have yet to fall off at all in his career. His game has changed some (taking more 3's which has dropped his FG%), but I don't think that's a sign he's fading yet. Again, not in my top 5 option, but just saying there's more than just Okafor and Beasley. Yo ujust post topics like this for dramatic effect. I seriously doubt you honestly feel this way. Just like TGP said, it will be something/someone new next week.

[oldschool1]

Jason Thompson is very interesting. 6ft 11", very athletic, very good basketball skills. I would take this guy over any other big man in the draft with the exception of Beasley. Thompson's risk is that Rider's competition is not all that great.