Emeka Okafor Should be the deal breaker in any CP3 for Rondo trade = No Dwight

[GreenEnvy]

Chris Paul has always been the guy I'd want to replace Rondo. Of course I would strongly consider Derron Williams and Derrick Rose, but Chris Paul just fits the mold.

I can't, however, say I'd definitely pull the trigger on a deal if it doesn't help the team now and later. I'm not sure if Rondo + Green for Paul + Okafor helps us all that much. We'd get an undersized and oft-injured center and lose a very good bench player who can actually play 3 positions.

If we can find a way to get Paul for something like Rondo, BBD S&T (wishful thinking), a pick (not the Clippers') and maybe another filler, I'd definitely do it.

Although CP3 may not be as great a passer as Rondo or as great defensively, he will change the offense immensely. I think without question they become the best offensive team in the league, even better than we looked with Shaq last year.


There's no guarantee Howard is coming here. Calling it a longshot would be an optimistic view. But we would be in better position with Paul than we would with Rondo, assuming we are enough under the cap in both scenarios. Taking on Okafor would make it that much more difficult, but not impossible (DA could move something like Okafor and Bradley for an expiring contract if such a one exists next season).

I guess I would do it. So long as we can get a good F with the MLE, another vet big (Murphy?), and resign Wafer and Delonte. The MLE would need to backup both Pierce and KG, which is hard to do. Maybe 'Quis for the vet min if he is cleared and then a legit PF?


It would kind of be Rondo and Perk for Paul and Okafor, which is a pretty fair deal IMO. I'd still try to get Rondo for Paul without taking on Okafor (Ariza maybe). Rondo is a legitimate All-Star signed at a cap-friendly deal. Paul is better, but not significantly. Sweeten the pot with picks or whatever, and maybe NOH takes it.

by oft injured, you mean a center that has missed exactly 10 games in the last four season, then yes Okafor is an oft injured center.  Okafor is the same size as Howard, though not quite as muscular and certainly not the athlete (I'm not comparing their games either, just the fact that Okafor isn't exactly small).  Okafor is essentially a slightly better version of Perkins and is much healthier.  Not a world beater, but a good solid center.  He is probably overpaid for his production, but any center not named Dwight Howard fits that description, so I can't really hold it against him.

I'd rather have the sure thing of Paul and Okafor then a hope and pray that Howard ends up here with Rondo.  Just too much uncertainty even though Rondo and Howard is better then Paul and Okafor.    

Hmm... I just assumed he was hurt because I rarely heard about him. Didn't he have some back problem a few years ago that worried people that it would be chronic? Glad to see he is healthy, but his production has dwindled compared to his first few seasons in the league. But, his numbers are still solid. Good for a double-double.

He's a small 6'10". I don't know what his wingspan or vert is, but he plays low. He can still rebound well and gets a nice amount of blocks, and that's primarily what we'd need him for.


I wouldn't give up Green for him, because then we have a huge hole at backup SF/PF.

I'd give up Allen if an immediate buyout is agreed upon, but the salaries still wouldn't match and we'd have to give up more. BBD? I'd do that.

Rondo, BBD, and Ray (buyout and return ASAP) for Paul and Okafor? Deal.

[LilRip]

Okafor sounds like quite a deal breaker. I'd take Rondo+Green+clippers pick for CP3+(small filler) in a heartbeat. If we have CP3 here, and RA and KG re-up for one year on a vet min (may or may not be likely), i think it's almost guaranteed that Dwight Howard will sign with us.

I know Deron is good, but he's not the defender that CP3 or Rondo is. Same goes with Rose.

I don't see how one year of KG and RA, two years older than they were last year, is going to determine where DH signs long-term.

yes, but i can see how having CP3 in the long-term does.

That assumes that Paul would sign here long term.   I'm not sold that the aging Big 3 without Rondo is that appealing to someone like Paul.   

how about a championship and likely, the best chance of teaming up with Dwight Howard? and for the record, the "aging Big 3" will be the absolute best supporting cast CP3 has ever had.

[paulcowens]

You want to trade Rondo to get Howard, but not for Howard ... and you don't even see how crazy this all is.  [dang], I'd be shocked, but nothing shocks me anymore in a world gone mad.