Should we pick up Emeka Okafor in the off-season?

[Monkhouse]

It should be noted that Okafor still has a lot of question marks surrounding him.

But I would love to try to give a shot at him. Even though hes 31, Okafor still has at least 3-4 healthy seasons left, and I still think he got something left in his gas.

Great defensive rebounder, 25.1% career DRB, which would rank as 13th best in the history of the NBA per basketball reference. And just an overall great defensive presence, and anchored the Wizards defense last year to at least make the 5th worst defensive efficiency in the Wizards bump up a few extra spots.
Month    Defensive Rating    Rank, DefRtg    REB%    Rank, REB%
Nov   102.1    17    74.40%    13
Dec    100.8    9    73.80%    26
Jan    98.5    5    74.90%    17
Feb    98.2    4    76.10%    21
Mar    101.3    8    74.90%    12
Apr    94.1    4    81.80%    12

While he isn't the best shot blocker, nor the best rebounder, Okafor is still a great Center that is coming off a injury and may be subject to a cheap but great underrated contract.

The Wizards' defensive ratings of 95.9 when Okafor plays next to Nene is as good as the Pacer's league-leading defense. Even when Okafor plays next to Seraphin, the team's defense is, on a per-possession basis, as good as the third-ranked Spurs'.

[Who]

Yes -- Okafor would be my main target in free agency if Ainge fails to get one of either Embiid in the draft or Asik via a trade. Okafor would be a really good addition. Allow C's other big men to play in their natural positions / roles. Settle (provide balance to) the team.

[Monkhouse]

Yes -- Okafor would be my main target in free agency if Ainge fails to get one of either Embiid in the draft or Asik via a trade. Okafor would be a really good addition. Allow C's other big men to play in their natural positions / roles. Settle (provide balance to) the team.

I would be more comfortable with Okafor than Asik. I think he was heavily underrated during his time in Washington.

Needless to say, I would be satisfied with Asik or Okafor.

[Lucky17]

The obvious question: what's the price tag going to be?

It's entirely possible that someone throws the MLE at him. Should Boston go that high?

[Tr1boy]

No. He is going to go for the most money, get injured again and retire.

[D.o.s.]

The obvious question: what's the price tag going to be?

Beat me to it.

[Monkhouse]

The obvious question: what's the price tag going to be?

It's entirely possible that someone throws the MLE at him. Should Boston go that high?

If he is deemed medically healthy, and his health concerns are alleviated, I don't see why not.

A healthy Okafor is a great underrated Center.

I would prefer us to both go after Asik and Okafor, but hey, that's just me

No. He is going to go for the most money, get injured again and retire.

Well aren't you a negative nancy? Lol.

[Lucky17]

A healthy Okafor is a great underrated Center.

I would agree. The question will be whether Okafor will remain healthy over the life of his next contract.

I've always liked Meka. Smart, hard-working, class act, productive. But I am also wary of a long-term investment in a center who's missed significant time due to a back injury.

We'll see. If he can remain healthy, he's exactly the type of player (and person) I'd want to add to the Celtics roster.

[GreenWarrior]

i'd say it depends on what other moves we make. if we go all in this off season and we can add okafor then I would like to. if we're still a young team who is building through the draft then I say don't bother.

[crimson_stallion]

If we can get him for the MLE and he's healthy, then absolutely.

I'd much prefer him over Asik - better shotblocker, better offensive player, better attitude.  I think he'd be a great big to complement the more perimeter oriented PF's we have.

[Lucky17]

I'd much prefer him over Asik - better shotblocker, better offensive player, better attitude.  I think he'd be a great big to complement the more perimeter oriented PF's we have.

For comparison:

Asik's numbers from 2012-13:
30 mpg, 54% FG on 4/7.5 attempts, 10 points, nearly 12 boards, and 1.1 blocks

Okafor's numbers from 2012-13:
26 mpg, 47.7% FG on 4.2/8.7 attempts, 9.7 points, 8.8 boards, and 1.0 blocks

If it's going to take the MLE to get Okafor, I'd rather use the TE or Bogans and filler to get Asik, and use the MLE on someone else.

[PhoSita]

The obvious question: what's the price tag going to be?

Beat me to it.

7.5 per year, one year (prove it) deal with a team option for a second year.  I think that would be a fine gamble on a once productive veteran coming off a injury season.   Might be able to get him for closer to 5 million, bit I think to get him to come to a crappy team like the Celtics -- albeit a team with a glaring hole at his primary position -- the Celtics will have to overpay.

[kozlodoev]

Pick up Okafor? Do people need a preview of what Sullinger may be like in his late 20s/early 30s that badly?

[LooseCannon]

The obvious question: what's the price tag going to be?

Beat me to it.

7.5 per year, one year (prove it) deal with a team option for a second year.  I think that would be a fine gamble on a once productive veteran coming off a injury season.   Might be able to get him for closer to 5 million, bit I think to get him to come to a crappy team like the Celtics -- albeit a team with a glaring hole at his primary position -- the Celtics will have to overpay.

I don't think the Celtics would have the cap space to sign him to that contract.  If it were, the contract would be more likely $3-4m per year with a player option for the second year or $7m per year with the second year partially guaranteed.

There are very few players who are making significantly more than the minimum and are not on rookie scale contracts who have team options as part of their contracts. 

[SHAQATTACK]

no