VCoug wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:How could we not trump that offer with Kyle O'Quinn and some combination of our veterans? No, it wouldn't provide us with an immediate result but is an immediate result something we want as a team looking to tank? Given the Pelicans myopic decision-making, I can't help but feel that the protections on that pick would be lax, if not non-existent. So why not pounce and position ourselves for the (not too distant) future?

KOQ is better right now but obviously they're hoping Okafor improves in the future. I don't think it's a good trade for NOP but it wouldn't make sense in that regard to trade for KOQ instead.

Even if the deal were expanded and we included 3-and-D guys like Courtney Lee and Lance Thomas? Or Justin Holiday, who happens to be Jrue Holidays brother: a player they are looking to re-sign? No, O'Quinn doesn't have the upside of Okafor but I think he and our veterans are more conducive to winning in the short-term, which I think is what Dell Demps is trying to do.

Nalod wrote:Jahil avged 17.5 and 7 as a 20 year old rookie! some of you are treating him like he is Kwame brown!!!!
Pels have a lot of teams in front of them, but only 3.5 games behind Nuggs for 8th spot in playoffs.
Jahil makes them on paper better. Also, thats a 7-10 year front court!!!!
They are low lottery slot, not sure there is a NBA body 21 year old who can put up 17 and 7, and next to davis might do more.

Philly takes Ajinca, not asik and their pick. Good trade for both.

Okafor is an impressive player...a decade ago. With the league evolving and placing new premiums on certain skillsets, Okafor is like a fish out of water. His future is that of the Enes Kanter's, Al Jefferson's and Mo Speights of the world: a backup big off the bench that doesn't really get much playoff run. That's not something you give up a potential lottery pick for.

NYKBocker wrote:Has Okafor really fallen that much?

Pretty much all advanced stats show him as one of the worst players in the league, both last year and this year. That might be a little overblown, but he's not worth much right now. I don't think any team should give up more than a lottery protected pick. At best, you are getting a player who can be a good scoring big man off the bench, but probably not a good starter. As many have said, the game today just doesn't fit his style of play, and advanced stats have caught up to show that this type of player really doesn't help you win games.

The reason they want to do this deal is to pair Davis, Okafor and Holiday together.

Okafor's main weakness is defense and with Anthony Davis he can cover up for some of Okafor's weaknesses. Anthony Davis has the speed to play 4 and seems to prefer that position anyway to start.

I like the deal for the Pelicans.

As for O'Quinn I wouldn't trade him unless I got something really good. He's a good backup. We may also have a very good backup in Willy, but maybe Willy is more than that and a good starter. So lets see how it works out without Willy. Injuries always come into the equation as well. It's never a bad thing to have a big with the skill of O'Quinn. He can hit the outside jumper. He can make short drives. He rebounds and blocks shots. Good activity rate. Good for the bench. We need some continuity to this team. Trade Melo, get a real point guard with leadership skills instead of Rose, and find some young athletic wings that can defend. Lets see how the team plays after that and decide who should be traded. A lottery pick will be added to the team as well, so his development is part of the process as well.