Smoove-Okafor

[mr_grabb]

I'm probably not the first one to think about this. Could it be possible than Charlotte and Atlanta agree on some sort of mega sign-and-trade around Okafor and Smith? I mean, negociations between the two players and their team does not seem to make any progress, and there has been rumors surrounding both of them.

While it would not be horrible, we would defenetively be on the losing side of this trade, IMO. Some would argue that having Okafor would allow us to switch Horford back to the 4, his original position, but I just see Smith as being much more valuable than Okafor for this team. What do you all think?

[conleyorbust]

I'm probably not the first one to think about this. Could it be possible than Charlotte and Atlanta agree on some sort of mega sign-and-trade around Okafor and Smith? I mean, negociations between the two players and their team does not seem to make any progress, and there has been rumors surrounding both of them.

While it would not be horrible, we would defenetively be on the losing side of this trade, IMO. Some would argue that having Okafor would allow us to switch Horford back to the 4, his original position, but I just see Smith as being much more valuable than Okafor for this team. What do you all think?

Well one part is that we get the lesser player in the trade, which is never a good thing. More importantly, and from a logical perspective, neither player is happy because they both think they should be offered more money. Even if the Charlotte management is willing to pay Smith more than we are, why would we be willing to pay Okafor more than they are if we aren't willing to pay the same amount to Smith? See what I mean?

There are four parties that have to be satisfied here and I don't see it working for anyone.

[mr_grabb]

It makes sense. Thx. I just don't know to what extent Smith does not want to play for Woodson. I mean, is that a serious bummer for him even if we get him the money he wants? I guess so, but I would not be surprised to learn the the Hawks management are looking to ship him away.

And wouldn't Okafor demand less than Smith? (Don't get me wrong, I'd rather pay more to keep Smith in town.)

[mr_grabb]

It makes sense. Thx. I just don't know to what extent Smith does not want to play for Woodson. I mean, is that a serious bummer for him even if we get him the money he wants? I guess so, but I would not be surprised to learn the the Hawks management are looking to ship him away.

And wouldn't Okafor demand less than Smith? (Don't get me wrong, I'd rather pay more to keep Smith in town.)

[conleyorbust]

It makes sense. Thx. I just don't know to what extent Smith does not want to play for Woodson. I mean, is that a serious bummer for him even if we get him the money he wants? I guess so, but I would not be surprised to learn the the Hawks management are looking to ship him away.

And wouldn't Okafor demand less than Smith? (Don't get me wrong, I'd rather pay more to keep Smith in town.)

Well the question is always who to believe in these sort of situations but Sekou, Woodson, Marc Stein, and Smith's people (his dad) have all said that Smith doesn't care about playing for Woody. That has pretty much been settled as a non-issue by all parties involved and reputable media (as opposed to Ric Bucher on the radio).

Your question is "wouldn't Okafor demand less..." which makes sense because he has less upside and more of an inury history but the answer is no, by all indications he wants the same amount.

[LHughes/JSmooth]

If they throw in Felton and we give them Law or something? Felton and Okafor for Law and Smith? Is that fair?

[CWell]

If they throw in Felton and we give them Law or something? Felton and Okafor for Law and Smith? Is that fair?

hell no that makes no sense at all.We give two players for worse ones? I know Acie will be a better PG than Felton in the future and if he was any good anyway they wouldn't have drafted Augustin and tried Felton at SG all these years just so he can be successful. Acie would abuse him head to head and is a better PG.

[conleyorbust]

If they throw in Felton and we give them Law or something? Felton and Okafor for Law and Smith? Is that fair?

You are missing the point here, its not about "fair" or "unfair", the fact is that the problem Charlotte is having with Okafor is that he wants to get paid more and Atlanta isn't willing to pay a superior player the same amount of money so we certainly wouldn't want to pay that to Oak, Felton doesn't really help b/c we wouldn't want Marv and Felton's contracts to deal with at the same time.

[killbuckner]

I would easily do Acie for Felton

[HMFFL]

680 the fan discussed this a couple weeks ago. They seem to think Okafor would anchor the 5 down for Atlanta and it moves Al Horford to the 4. I'm curious to know how many games Okafor played at the 5 last season and at the 4. If I remember correctly the reason they traded for Nazr Mohammed was to move Okafor to the 4.

[conleyorbust]

680 the fan discussed this a couple weeks ago. They seem to think Okafor would anchor the 5 down for Atlanta and it moves Al Horford to the 4. I'm curious to know how many games Okafor played at the 5 last season and at the 4. If I remember correctly the reason they traded for Nazr Mohammed was to move Okafor to the 4.

Putting aside the contract situation for a second. What, functionally, is the difference between Okafor and Al right now outside of Al's inferior shotblocking? I'm not sure how either one is better suited for either position... I guess Al is more athletic than Okafor.

[perthwildcat]

According to this Okafor played 60% of the time at center last season..

http://www.82games.com/0708/07CHA14A.HTM

The only problem i have with this trade is for all his shortcomings Smith was our no.2 scoring threat last
season... Is Oak a good enough scorer

[HMFFL]

680 the fan discussed this a couple weeks ago. They seem to think Okafor would anchor the 5 down for Atlanta and it moves Al Horford to the 4. I'm curious to know how many games Okafor played at the 5 last season and at the 4. If I remember correctly the reason they traded for Nazr Mohammed was to move Okafor to the 4.

Putting aside the contract situation for a second. What, functionally, is the difference between Okafor and Al right now outside of Al's inferior shotblocking? I'm not sure how either one is better suited for either position... I guess Al is more athletic than Okafor.

Josh Smith is also a better marketing tool. I just don't see us gaining much over Josh by acquiring Okafor. At this point it's debatable who's more comfortable at the 5 between Okafor and Al Horford.
Al says he's fine with it, but Charlotte acqured Nazr for a reason, and I believe it moved Okafor to the 4.

According to this Okafor played 60% of the time at center last season..

http://www.82games.com/0708/07CHA14A.HTM

The only problem i have with this trade is for all his shortcomings Smith was our no.2 scoring threat last
season... Is Oak a good enough scorer

Thanks. I'm assuming he predominately played the 5 before Charlotte acquired Nazr Mohammed.

[reazun]

I dont think the margin is that big concerning who is a better player (Josh or Okafor). Josh is clearly better at blocking shots, but Okafor is a better rebounder. Smith scores more, but Okafor has a better FG%. If we traded for Okafor it wouldnt be that bad. But I think another player had to be added. i really doubt that Charlotte would give up Felton for Acie though. Acie is a toss up, Felton has shown that he is starter material and he will only get better.

[HoopsGuru25]

I don't think Smith for Okafor is nearly as bad as some of the other garbage I've heard recently. However the issue between Smith and the Hawks is that they won't pay him more than $9 million a year. Okafor actually turned down $20 million more than Smith did last year. If the ASG won't pay Smith(the most popular player on the team)than it's very unlikely that they would pay Okafor.

[raleigh]

It would take a 3rd team, undoubtedly.

[gurpilo]

Okafor would be the best player we could get for Smith in terms of the impact he can make on the team. Biedrins would be also a great option.

Getting Okafor does not change your lineup, you can move Al to PF and provides you another inside presence, the so much needed shotblocking big that can own the paint. In terms of suitability to the team is the best option. All the trade talks involving Howard, Melo, Prince and Odom mean Marvin going to the bench and Zaza becoming starting C, man we will lose competitiviness inmediatly while Marvin losing value, he is going to develop now that Chil is not stealing minutes from him, wait and see.

If we get Okafor we would be playoff team at least the next 3 years, personally I would pay more for Emeka than Smith and is because market rules, you don't find many players as Emeka and can find a ton of players as Smith (in terms of position) Just imagine:

Bibby/Law/Claxton
JJ/Evans
Marvin/Hermann
Horford/Zaza/Hunter
Okafor/Brown