In the Zone

[bleedspeed]

I was listening to In the Zone yesteday. (8/6/2016)

Trading for Oakfor came up and they mentioned trading Dieng, Shabazz, and Jones for Oakfor. Not going to happen because the 76ers have to many players already, but they debated if it would be a good move for us. I see it as a no brainer. 1st we get the best talent in the trade. Second he is under rookie contract for years to come while Dieng and Shabazz are coming up on RFA. Thoughts?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I have absolutely no desire to have Okafor on our team, even if it was a practical giveaway. He just isn't a good fit for this team, as we don't need a one-way offensive low post player. We already have enough offensive firepower and most of those guys need the lane opened (especially Wiggins) up for drives and cuts.

[JasonIsDaMan [enjin:7981157]]

Dieng/Shabazz/Jones/Payne for Okafor/Mcconnell/Covington/AFirstThatCanBeUsedIn2018. That clears a roster spot for Stephenson if that is the way Thibs wants to go. That's really the only way it works for me. Still not my favorite.

[thedoper]

Yes please. A KAT/Okafor backcourt is a perfect combination. No way Philly does that deal though, especially after just half a year with Okafor.

[bleedspeed]

I would be all onboard with it. It would be tough to stop and if wea re not giving up KAT, Wiggins, Rubio, LaVine, and Dunn it is a no brainer to me. Take your pick from the rest of the roster would be my stance.

[Brooklyn_Wolves [enjin:14608167]]

Dieng/Shabazz/Jones/Payne for Okafor/Mcconnell/Covington/AFirstThatCanBeUsedIn2018. That clears a roster spot for Stephenson if that is the way Thibs wants to go. That's really the only way it works for me. Still not my favorite.

Philly will never do it.

[Brooklyn_Wolves [enjin:14608167]]

Yes please. A KAT/Okafor backcourt is a perfect combination. No way Philly does that deal though, especially after just half a year with Okafor.

In what world is KAT/Okafor is a perfect combination?

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I didn't hear In the Zone yesterday, but I think Barreiro was talking about an Okafor deal Friday too. I can see why Philly would want to deal Okafor with their glut of big men, but I haven't seen any reputable rumors about talks with Minnesota. So we're having this discussion as a complete hypothetical.

Take a look at this thread so far...big differences of opinion. I come down on the positive side with respect to Okafor, IF the deal were right. As a rookie he had a 17.14 PER, averaging 17.5 and 7 on 51% shooting...pretty remarkable numbers for a rookie. With that kind of start, he clearly has a high ceiling as a low post offensive player. Okafor was considered the cream of his age class for many years until it became clear halfway through his college year that KAT was the better prospect. But still, nothing in his rookie year tells me that he is less than a top 3 talent.

I also think he would be a nice fit next to KAT. While Okafor needs to operate around the basket, KAT has shown the ability to be very effective mid-range and on the perimeter. I think they could be a very good high-low combination. And while Okafor is not known as a great defensive player or a rim protector, his rookie year was not a disaster defensively, and he's certainly a big body to have to move around in the post.

Posters above are correct that Philly has too many players to make the In the Zone deal work, so a deal would have to be multiple players for multiple players as Jason suggests. I would include anyone other than our three youngsters and Rubio if it gave us a chance to land Okafor (yes, Dunn too).

[thedoper]

Yes please. A KAT/Okafor backcourt is a perfect combination. No way Philly does that deal though, especially after just half a year with Okafor.

In what world is KAT/Okafor is a perfect combination?

In a world where you still play high low with your front court and want length on the defensive end. Also allows KAT to play off the ball on the defensive end which is going to be his strength moving forward.

Okafor is at least twice as good as any of our options next to KAT right now.

[KiwiMatt]

I'm not sold on adding Okafor. I think he will be a good player and a borderline all star, but I just don't like the idea of adding a black hole low post player to this group of guys. Personally I think Dieng is a better fit next to KAT as a guy who can rebound, block shots and score when required.

We don't need 20ppg players, we potentially have three of those already in Wiggins, KAT and LaVine. We need players that do the other stuff - hussle, rebound, pass well and defend.

Okafors character issues are also a major red flag for me.