Considering they're similar type players, why do some think Ainge would trade a #3 pick, and perhaps even more, for Okafor when he showed absolutely no interest in Monroe last summer? Both are good low post players, lack range, and are bad defensive players. However, Monore is a better passer and rebounder and has has zero off the court issues.
Okafor basically matched Monroe's production and Okafor was a rookie on one of the worst teams of all time.
Monroe is a B to B- player. Okafor is a B with the potential to be a solid A in a league where the only thing that matters is finding A-caliber players.
Okafor produced basic stats, but that also came with horrible advanced numbers. That said, he might have benefited from being a bad team/stats guy. As his usage rate was 27.3% to Monroe's 23.5%. However, the point is that they're similar players (except Monroe is a better rebounder and passer) and Ainge showed no interest in courting Monroe during free agency. Why? If it's fit then why the notion that he's done a 180 on that player type (low post scorer, no range, bad defender) and would be willing to trade a valuable #3 pick on Okafor?
The stats just aren't very useful here. They're not as similar as you make out. Monroe is a vet on a middling team with a high-ish usage rate and solid post game. Okafor has shown flashes of brilliance - like the potential to be the best pure low post PF scorer since Al Jefferson or dare I say, Kevin Mchale. I promise you that he hasn't benefited from being on the 6ers. 20ppg on 60% shooting for multiple years is a real possibility for this kid.
So let me get this straight...
1) Okafor has show indications that he could
potentially one day become as good a post scorer as Jefferson.
2) Jefferson's as a rookie had a better block rate, a better rebound rate, a better defensive rating and a FAR better net rating in his rookie year then Okafor has had in his first year.
3) Jefferson has never made an All-Star team despite more than 10 years in the NBA
So everybody is generating all of this excitement over the idea of trading our #3 pick for a guy who is significantly worse overall version of a guy who has never been an All Star.
Makes sense.
Also how can you criticise Monroe for being a high using guy? He's never had a usage rate over 25% his entire career, and Okafor's usage rate in his rookie year was 27%.
Monroe is a significantly better player than Okafor is. He's better at pretty much every single aspect of the game except post scoring, which he is still very good at. He's also got a pretty good attitude, is extremely consistent, and has been pretty healthy his entire career.
Finally his current contract is going to look like an
absolute bargain when guys like Horford and Dwight are signing their $25M+ deals this offseason.
Monroe isn't a transcendent player by any means, nor do I feel he's the type of guy who can transform us into a contender. But he's asolid and steady veteran with proper size who can give you 15+ points and 10+ rebounds per night, can hit the occasional midrange jumper, passes the ball very well, and won't give you lockerroom issues. We could do much worse.