For anyone who is in doubt about the potential greatness of this guy, Okafor, I would like you temporarily drop your preconceived notion about the guy and just imagine what a masterpiece a clay like Okafor could mold into with Brad Stevens as the architect. Just imagine it. He is 20...what in tha blue hell makes you think the guy can't develop into a defensive player you are imagining?
I helped lead the "anti-Okafor" campaign a month ago but I agree it has gone too far. My biggest complaint was with the price some of his advocates wanted to pay. The #3 pick + Bradley/Smart + even perhaps the 2017 Brooklyn pick? That was madness.
Now the situation has changed. We have the JBrown and he impressed in SL. We see after FA exactly what I said would happen - Brooklyn striking out on any good FAs - did happen. We saw that there was no mad rush for Okafor by other teams. We have an excellent interior presence in Hortford who can compliment Okafor's limited game and teach him the finer points of playing in the NBA. We know that Philly has an even worse overload in their front court that they need to resolve.
So I agree now is the time to make a deal. I don't know what that deal will entail but will have to give up something (not the Brooklyn picks) to get something. It makes too much sense for both teams.
As for Okafor himself, I have been and remain critical of his game. His stat line last year wasn't impressive as someone had to score on such a horrible team. Every advanced metric was so dismal that it's really not debatable that he was awful last year. But...
(1) Part of that is being young and I believe (unlike Greg Monroe) he can and probably will improve. I believe he has a great deal more natural talent than Monroe. I believe he has more limitations to his game than some, especially in the modern NBA, but I also believe he still can be an impact player in the NBA.
(2) Part of that is due to his immaturity, conditioning and motivation. This is a big question mark and this is why I don't want to overpay.
(3) Part of that is due to the environment. Philly was a horrible place to be last year. They were trying to lose (again), massive conflicts in the front office, no team leaders...it was a hell-hole and Okafor would very likely massively benefit from being in a different place.
So for the right price I'd be happy to have Okafor on the team. I think this could be a very good environment for him to blossom into a good NBA player.