Any news about Okafor?

[Errntknght]

Last week the team said something about seeing Okafor during the trip to NY... just wondering if any one has seem any thing about that...

 

[sunsfan88]

Okafor turned them down

Okafor non-update

The Suns spent two days here, where center Emeka Okafor has been living with his family while doing rehabilitation for a herniated disk with a cervical spine specialist since last summer. He is indefinitely out. He did not meet with the team.

Okafor, 31, is in his final contract year on a $14.5 million salary. Insurance would cover about $5.8 million for the Suns if Okafor does not play this season for health reasons.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...-letter-catches-up-older-leandro-barbosa.html

 

[JCSunsfan]

Either Okafor or the Suns or both are just not interested in each other. I am wondering if Okafor is just planning on retiring and is milking all the money he can while he can.

 

[Mainstreet]

There are 5.8M reasons the Suns would not want to play Okafor because of health reasons.

 

[Errntknght]

Thanks for the info guys

 

[JS22]

Too bad. I think he'd be a solid addition to a late playoff push.

 

[JCSunsfan]

His greatest value is as a throw-in to make salaries work in a trade. His expiring isn't that valuable on its own as trade bait because the Suns want the cap space as much as anyone else. He is obviously not going to be ready to play this year, so that is not help either for the Suns or anyone else.

 

[BC867]

Looking at the big picture, if we had a healthy Okafor (or even Len) and Bledsoe, even for just this season (which is somewhere between possible and probable), we would be a team predicted for last place fighting for 1st place in the Division, instead of sinking steadily after a good start under Hornacek.

We would have a solid starting lineup, a solid bench and the opportunity to develop the rookies.

We would have strong candidates for Executive and Coach of the Year, even though both are rookies at their job.

But, alas, injuries are part of the game. Still, all we need is a legitimate backup Center and a starting Power Forward, with Barbosa covering Bledsoe's offense and the surprise of Ish at backup Point Guard, we wouldn't be sinking.

 

[Superbone]

Why Emeka Okafor is key trade asset for Suns
By Adrian Wojnarowski

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/why-emeka-okafor-is-key-trade-asset-for-suns-233443139.html

 

[Gaddabout]

Should the Suns try to rescue Tyson Chandler from the Knicks? He's 31, probably two or three good years left. $14.1 this year, $14.5 next year.

 

[Mainstreet]

Should the Suns try to rescue Tyson Chandler from the Knicks? He's 31, probably two or three good years left. $14.1 this year, $14.5 next year.

I was thinking about it as their salaries are a wash, but the second season at 14.5 M gave me pause. The Suns might throw in a pick or not. The problem I see, the Suns already have two young centers on the rise.

Edit: Actually the insurance money to be received for Okafor, the Suns might want something in return.

 

[Gaddabout]

I was thinking about it as their salaries are a wash, but the second season at 14.5 M gave me pause. The Suns might throw in a pick or not. The problem I see, the Suns already have two young centers on the rise.

Edit: Actually the insurance money to be received for Okafor, the Suns might want something in return.

Well, I think Plumlee could play the 4 just fine. He couldn't spread out to the corner 3, but he can hit a baseline jumper. Chandler allows you a more legit center for Len to backup, and now you're bringing Frye off the bench for offense. I think, basketball wise, it would solidify the starting lineup, legitimize the bench, improve the defense, and make it not as important to have so much offense going through the point guard.

I just don't know if it makes sense for the money or long term. *big shrug*

 

[Mainstreet]

Well, I think Plumlee could play the 4 just fine. He couldn't spread out to the corner 3, but he can hit a baseline jumper. Chandler allows you a more legit center for Len to backup, and now you're bringing Frye off the bench for offense. I think, basketball wise, it would solidify the starting lineup, legitimize the bench, improve the defense, and make it not as important to have so much offense going through the point guard.

I just don't know if it makes sense for the money or long term. *big shrug*

This is where McDonough earns the big bucks.

 

[AfroSuns]

Well, I think Plumlee could play the 4 just fine. He couldn't spread out to the corner 3, but he can hit a baseline jumper.

um? Are we thinking the same Miles? Dude barely takes that shot, when he does, It is awkward and with no confidence.
Would be awesome if he can improve his jump shot and he is paired with a center like Chandler or even Len

 

[Gaddabout]

um? Are we thinking the same Miles? Dude barely takes that shot, when he does, It is awkward and with no confidence.
Would be awesome if he can improve his jump shot and he is paired with a center like Chandler or even Len

It's there, I've seen it. When he is confident, he puts it up on occasion.

 

[95pro]

Plumlee can't play the 4. Unless he improves his 10-15 foot jumper

 

[Suns_fan69]

Plumlee has flashed some competency with that 10-15 foot jumper (even a couple Tim Duncanesque bank shots) so perhaps with some more game reps this could be a viable range for him. His mechanics look relatively solid.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Well, I think Plumlee could play the 4 just fine. He couldn't spread out to the corner 3, but he can hit a baseline jumper. Chandler allows you a more legit center for Len to backup, and now you're bringing Frye off the bench for offense. I think, basketball wise, it would solidify the starting lineup, legitimize the bench, improve the defense, and make it not as important to have so much offense going through the point guard.

I just don't know if it makes sense for the money or long term. *big shrug*

It's an interesting idea, but seems difficult to have an effective offense when your 3/4/5 can't really create anything offensively. Would be a great defensive lineup though.

Also, what would we have to give up to get Chandler? I think I'd rather stand pat at this point.

 

[BC867]

Also, what would we have to give up to get Chandler? I think I'd rather stand pat at this point.

Tyson Chandler brought the perennial 50-and-fade Mavs an NBA Championship. He was the difference maker.

We are striving to be the classic 50-and-fade Suns and you want to stand pat.

Not I, my friend, not I! I have been watching this since deciding 44 years ago that Phoenix was going to be my home, which meant I was going to put my heart into everything about the Valley.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Tyson Chandler brought the perennial 50-and-fade Mavs an NBA Championship. He was the difference maker.

You seriously want to compare our roster to the Mavs that year? Apples and some other fruit not even close to apples.

We are striving to be the classic 50-and-fade Suns and you want to stand pat.

I don't want to hurt future flexibility for any moves that won't move us closer to title contention. Chandler is a nice player and a final piece for a team going all out for the ring. We are not that team. If we can find a good young player to take a chance on that fits into our long term goals, fine, if not, stand pat.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

The 2nd year is a deal breaker. Kills our flexibility this offseason. ANd he in now way puts us over the top no matter how desperate some fans maybe.

No thanks. Young 1 year or locked in stars only at the deadline.

 

[Gaddabout]

FWIW, I'm not sold out on this. I'm just saying if there's a reasonable deal to be had, that's not a bad one. At least the Suns would get a performance return on investment, and have a really good idea of what they're getting.

 

[slinslin]

we are not going to trade for an 31yr old injury riddled Tyson Chandler, seriously.

 

[Catlover]

Tyson Chandler brought the perennial 50-and-fade Mavs an NBA Championship. He was the difference maker.

We are striving to be the classic 50-and-fade Suns and you want to stand pat.

Not I, my friend, not I! I have been watching this since deciding 44 years ago that Phoenix was going to be my home, which meant I was going to put my heart into everything about the Valley.

He was the final piece, not the main piece. Take Dirk off that team and they miss the playoffs. If it takes 100 units of talent to win the championship are you really going to credit the last 2 units added in that move them from a 99 to a 101?

 

[BC867]

He was the final piece, not the main piece. Take Dirk off that team and they miss the playoffs. If it takes 100 units of talent to win the championship are you really going to credit the last 2 units added in that move them from a 99 to a 101?

I like Plumlee, but he is not a domineering Center. Tyson Chandler is. You don't have to wait until every piece is in place to solidify the position. It would also be a perfect situation for Len to develop.

Right now, our Dirk is Dragic from the shooting Point Guard position. With a complementary cast around him. Why wait to move us to the next step? Strength in the post would make it smoother for the rest of the team to move up.