Surprise, surprise. Emeka Okafor and the Bobcats can't find a sweet spot in contract negotiations, and Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reports 'Meka is pulling the old Luol Deng one-two: work out a sign-and-trade, give me the salary I want, or I'm signing the qualifying offer and bouncing next summer.Bonnell reports the Bobcats have offered Okafor less money than they offered last summer. 'Meka, of course, played well this season and didn't get hurt. He's young. He's one of the better big-man defenders in the world. I'm not really understanding Charlotte's strategy here, I must say.
I noted a year ago how teams were becoming savvy to the inherent advantages of NBA restricted free agency for the franchises. It didn't take long for the players to strike back -- listening to Euroleague offers, dropping ultimatums, demanding trades. I think this suggestion has been made before with regards to established stars seeking a ring, that all the disgruntleds get together and run the table. (Boston basically did this last year.) But seriously: take Okafor, Deng, Josh Smith, Josh Childress and Ben Gordon. That's an All-Star team in two years! Make it happen, Grizzlies!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-22-2008 @ 1:27PM
gary said...
Boy, this would be a blow to the team. Okafor has been doing pretty well. But this is life in the NBA. http://www.choicearizona.com/arizona_homeowner_insurance.php
Reply
7-22-2008 @ 1:53PM
dubbz45 said...
the lakeshow could use him...
Reply
7-22-2008 @ 2:26PM
nerditry said...
Michael Jordan "runs" this team, Bobcat Bob owns it and cronie Buzz Peterson is Dir. of Player Personnel. The fact that these guys manage to keep a team running is beyond me and Emeka is a damn smart guy, smart enough to give the benefit of the doubt and then get the hell out of dodge when it starts crumbling.
This is the team that should have been sent off to OKC.
Reply
7-22-2008 @ 2:28PM
jk said...
anybody could use him. he is good, he has decent players aroundhim now but coaches/management dont know how to use the tools they have. Cleveland will dig deep to finally get king james a crown or put him with wade in miami, i bet he would take a pay cut to play in boston
Reply
7-22-2008 @ 2:42PM
frank said...
A great chance for LA to get a young strong player and more to replace Turiaf;
Reply
7-22-2008 @ 2:54PM
frank said...
In fact, Okafor is a much better deal then Artest in the long run;
Reply
7-22-2008 @ 7:13PM
yongster said...
None of these guys are starters in winning teams and would be the 3rd or 4th options on contending teams. They're delusional if they think they deserve more than 10 million a year for their production. I'm thinking they need to remember Joe Smith turned down a $100 million dollar contract and Bonzi Wells turned down a $40 million dollar contract. These guys need to understand if no other team wants to pay you, it's a sign that you're value is not as high as you perceive it to be.
Reply
7-23-2008 @ 12:49PM
Jared said...
I don't see how the Lakers have room for Okafor with Gasol and Bynum. I also don't see why they'd trade either of those players just to pick Okafor up. The Clippers were the only realistic option to get Okafor this summer.
Reply