at this point Id say its basically fact that Okafor was the target.
Regardless of who was first to report it, essentially every publication has reported it at this point, nobody from the Celtics has disputed it and nobody has reported an alternative. It was Okafor.
The only reason some people don't believe it is because it's more fun to believe in some alternative conspiracy theory. I think that's a giant waste of time. Instead of sitting here pretending like it was Jimmy Butler, why can't we just focus on the reality of the offer and what that means in relation to our future? Will we still be able to make a compelling offer for a Philly big this summer? Should we be concerned about the quality of this draft? Would Okafor have flourished here? There's plenty to explore with this story beyond the "maybe Ainge was actually referring to LeBron and just paid Bulpett to report a smokescreen" tinhattery.
Why would somebody from the Celtics dispute it? Why would they bother? Why would they care who people think the target was? Usually they only dispute reports of one of their current players being shopped, to avoid hurting the player's feelings and to keep that player's reputation in tact.
Valid point. No point in Boston disputing it. It would be Philly denying the rumors. That hasn't happened either though, because everyone (including Okafor) knows at least one of those bigs is a sitting duck and it's been known Boston has had interest in Okafor or Noel since pre-draft. It shouldn't have surprised anyone that we offered the Brooklyn 1st for one of them.
It also suits Phillys purposes too. They know they need to trade a big. Everyone knows Okafor is at least close to available. All of a sudden Boston is in the game, they have a ton of assets and an aggressive GM. If another team wants okafor they have to compete with Boston and their war chest of picks and players.
This rumor is most beneficial to Philly.
I disagree.
This rumor is beneficial to both sides.
Ainge has set the market for the Brooklyn pick which is currently projected at #4.
Okafur was a highly coveted player last year, and although he hasn't had a perfect year off the court, he's still seen as an elite prospect and a player that could end up better than any of this years top 3.
Considering they gave up the #3 pick for him. As the main piece for a pick with a current pick #4 value (could be better, could be worse), I think they've maintained value in Okafur, and Ainge has given the Brooklyn pick more of a physical value.
When people think of the Brooklyn pick, GM's and staff may visualize it as a way to get an incredible prospect like Okafur.
It's like the difference between having physical $100 bills falling out of your hands at the strip club, vs looking at a bunch of zeros on a computer screen in your bank account.
Great sales tactic and wouldn't surprise me if it's completely made up.
It could be true and I personally hope it's true.
I just don't put too much faith into one report being the bible.
Topic: Bill Simmons suspects the Celtics don't like this bad draft. Okafor was target. (Read 20073 times)