I think Okafor can still be salvaged, the man clearly has talent. He also has some glaring flaws, but being in such a terrible situation I guess he never saw a path to reach his goals and didn't bother to work on those flaws.
I mean, Philly didn't exactly do right by Nerlens Noel either. The Sixers stupidly drafted elite big men prospects in three consecutive drafts. Only a franchise run by the biggest of idiots does that. It doesn't excuse Okafor from not working on his game, but it does set the stage for bringing out a person's worst traits. Sometime people like that need a better support system to bring out their best.
Which is why I would be content if the C's took a flier on the kid. Maybe a better structure and player development culture is all he needs to be the best version of himself he can be. It's worth the gamble if the cost is low enough, and at this point I'm betting Boston might be able to get him for nothing more than the DPE alone, without including any other assets.
1) So much for "best player available" as the supreme drafting rule when it puts you in such a situation...
2) Could we just get him for the vet min after he clears waiver...
(Which teams might be able to claim him...?? Could he refuse and join us...?? not too familiar with that waiver process...)
It's just that I want our DPE available at the deadline for a potential trade for a deadly 3pt shooter who can run through screens and can hit the turn around jumper... (a skill that his a HUGE advantage in the playoffs when everyone knows all your plays)
I'm thinking of someone like Belinelli who is making 6+ million with the Hawks and has only 1 year remaining...