Quick question for those who want Okafor...

[__ramonezy__]

I have a quick question for those who would like for us to trade for Okafor... why not trade for Greg Munroe instead?

Okafor will likely cost us Smart or Rozier and picks. Given the situation in Milwaukee, I think a deal can be done around our own 2018 1st round pick and a player like Young. If we are in the market for a one-dimensional big man, my vote is for Munroe.

[celticsclay]

I have a quick question for those who would like for us to trade for Okafor... why not trade for Greg Munroe instead?

Okafor will likely cost us Smart or Rozier and picks. Given the situation in Milwaukee, I think a deal can be done around our own 2018 1st round pick and a player like Young. If we are in the market for a one-dimensional big man, my vote is for Munroe.

There were rumors the Bucks would get rid of Monroe in a salary dump. However, I don't really think we need/want either of these guys. We would be much better off with a defensive minded center as Johnson isn't a long term solution and also isn't crazy durable.

[A Future of Stevens]

To play the devils advocate, I think the idea is that while monroe is a better passer rebounder and defender (barely, both are atrocious) okafor is already a much better scorer at 19. Okafor also atleast has time to develop into a much better defender than where monroe is (still probably bad), and the same level of rebounder and passer. Also he would at that point be a phenomenal scorer.

Still dont like okafor much, but that is where the argument I think is.

[MBunge]

I have a quick question for those who would like for us to trade for Okafor... why not trade for Greg Munroe instead?

Okafor will likely cost us Smart or Rozier and picks. Given the situation in Milwaukee, I think a deal can be done around our own 2018 1st round pick and a player like Young. If we are in the market for a one-dimensional big man, my vote is for Munroe.

The difference is that taking on Monroe's salary would kill our chance at getting another max free agent next year.  Okafor+a chance at Griffin or Westbrook > Monroe.

Mike

[greece66]

Age and salary are the two differences.

Otherwise, it all depends on what we have to give up to take either.

Clearly, we do not have to make a move unless it is to our benefit.

[__ramonezy__]

I have a quick question for those who would like for us to trade for Okafor... why not trade for Greg Munroe instead?

Okafor will likely cost us Smart or Rozier and picks. Given the situation in Milwaukee, I think a deal can be done around our own 2018 1st round pick and a player like Young. If we are in the market for a one-dimensional big man, my vote is for Munroe.

The difference is that taking on Monroe's salary would kill our chance at getting another max free agent next year.  Okafor+a chance at Griffin or Westbrook > Monroe.

Mike

Fnding max space doesn't seem like it's that hard for us. Munroe's contract is reasonable given the rise in cap level... he makes about $17m... which is the same as Evan Turner. Next year the cap will spike again and Amir's contract will also be over which I think is around $11m. So making max space shouldn't be an issue at that point... but admittedly I'm no cap expert....

[Neurotic Guy]

A couple things baffle me regarding the resistance to Okafor:

1. Isn't improving defensively something that is very possible given coaching, teammates, experience and physical/mental maturity?  Is he any physically less capable than KO -- who has improved defensively?

2. Whenever I saw Okafor play last year I felt I was watching a gifted offensive player.   Doesn't seem to me that there is a single young (young meaning 19/20 years old) offensive big that can hold a candle to him  other than Towns. Am I missing something?

[td450]

Both of these guys are perfect examples of players who would have been considered extremely valuable only 5-10 years ago, but simply don't fit modern NBA principals any more.

If you take either, you take Okafor because he's so young and might be able to become dominant offensively in the same way Cousins is, although I doubt he'll ever be as good all around. Monroe is fully baked.

[timpiker]

I just fell in love with Okafor' s offense.  And for the D criticisms, maybe with Brad and the D emphasis he might become good.  He's got the skills and he's young.  To me, D and rebounding is an attitude.

[Big333223]

A couple things baffle me regarding the resistance to Okafor:

1. Isn't improving defensively something that is very possible given coaching, teammates, experience and physical/mental maturity?  Is he any physically less capable than KO -- who has improved defensively?

2. Whenever I saw Okafor play last year I felt I was watching a gifted offensive player.   Doesn't seem to me that there is a single young (young meaning 19/20 years old) offensive big that can hold a candle to him  other than Towns. Am I missing something?

1. I'd be hopeful that he could improve defensively on a team like the Celtics but the question with defense is often one of willingness. Does Okafor have the will to play hard on that end? Olynyk isn't a great defender but he's improved because he's a hard worker. Is Okafor that kind worker?

2. I don't question his gifts one bit but I question whether or not his particular skill set is going to be all that valuable if he doesn't improve his passing. If he does, he can be a shorter/more agile Marc Gasol. If he doesn't, he'll be Enes Kanter without the rebounding, a specialist who can come in off the bench against the right lineups.

[celticbos]

Okafor was playing High School Ball just two years ago, give the kid a chance. Problem is, teams aren't bailing the Sixers out from their stupidity in the way they handled things the last few years. The other thing here is like I said about being two years removed from High School, just how much do you give up for a kid like this? This is a situation you don't see every day with trading a player the caliber of Okafor this early in his career, there hasn't been a standard set that I can remember for a situation like this.

[footey]

I prefer Okafor to Coudins given the price (although still don't know what Okafor would cost) and age. Problem is that I doubt I guy like Okafor (or Monroe or Cousins) fits in with Horford. Just see a lithe defensive oriented shot blocker paired with him. Think Noel makes the most sense. Why is he no longer coming up in these thread discussions? Seemed available and costing less than Okafor.

[Surferdad]

Age and salary are the two differences.

Otherwise, it all depends on what we have to give up to take either.

Clearly, we do not have to make a move unless it is to our benefit.

and I think Okafor has a chance to be better than Monroe.

[Ogaju]

Okafor is the better deal for the Celtics. Going forward our overwhelming advantage should be our depth the possibility that we could field a team that is 12 man deep. Okafor helps that goal. Every other trade that is contemplated does not. Get Okafor on the cheap, and keep all our young assets.

There you go.

[Bobshot]

Monroe would help offensively, but Okafor would, too. Okafor is a better shotblocker, younger and cheaper.

The big difference maker is Okafor leaves them with cap space to sign another FA next year.
Monroe has another year on his $16-17M contract.

Cap-wise, Okafor is almost a no brainer. He'd be tied up for peanuts for a few years.
His only issue right now is his knee. Not 100% yet. But it was a trivial operation.

I think Okafor is higher on Ainge's list than Monroe for cap reasons.