The Okafor-Chandler trade: Charlotte cuts salary, New Orleans appeases Chris Paul

July 28 09

NBA news mixed with analysis ...

Their News: "The Hornets have officially found a taker for Tyson Chandler in the Charlotte Bobcats, trading for fellow center Emeka Okafor." (ESPN)

Our Quick Analysis: Both organizations made statements with this trade.

The Charlotte Bobcats cut the cord on their first draft pick and player. And the small-market New Orleans Hornets showed a willingness to spend and build around superstar Chris Paul, even with tight-fisted owner George Shinn controlling the purse-strings.

Yes, the Emeka Okafor-Tyson Chandler deal tells us much about the future of these teams.

For thrifty Charlotte, this was partly about reducing costs and increasing financial flexibility. The deal saves the franchise a tidy $60 million –Okafor is owed $72 million over the next five years, while Chandler is on the books for one more year at $13 million. In the new and frugal NBA, less salary is a positive.

‘Team Jordan’ also improved their athleticism. Okafor, at 6-10 and with a bodybuilder’s frame, struggled against the league’s taller posts. Chandler, however, is well over seven-feet and possesses impressive quickness and leaping ability.

New Orleans gains a consistent post presence. Okafor, ever the ploughman, averaged a steady 13 points and 10 rebounds per game for Larry Brown’s squad. Most importantly, his defence and shot blocking will trigger the break for Paul.

But this deal was mostly about re-assuring Paul. A few weeks back, the All-Star told reporters he was concerned the club wasn’t looking to upgrade. After all, the Hornets, supposedly because of finances, hadn’t swung a trade or signed a free agent and the competitors had gotten better. Well, taking on Okafor’s big-ticket proves otherwise.

Charlotte and New Orleans, two interesting teams, both tipped their hand with Monday’s swap of post players.

Got thoughts on Okafor for Chandler? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Keith Allison.

6 Comments: The Okafor-Chandler trade: Charlotte cuts salary, New Orleans (...)

Posted by
fsafdewt
on 10.11.2009

I like your website,it’s very good! .

Posted by
ronh
on 07.29.2009

This was an okay trade for the hornets. They are going to try to get a big name in 2010.The bobcats are shedding salary they are going to be a player in the 2010 sweepstakes. .

Posted by
Snika
on 07.29.2009

This is a head scratcher... neither team really improved. New Orleans tried to dump Chandler’s salary just a few months ago, now they are taking on $38 million more??? Though I think Charlotte got the better end of this deal by dumping a HUGE overpaid contract, they were still on the verge of the playoffs last year, and took a minor step back in this deal. If they can work some magic, and get Iverson to sign a 1 or 2 year deal they might have a shot at the 8 seed this next year... .

Posted by

on 07.29.2009

Yes CHA got the better of this thing!!! .

Posted by
hasn bin laiden
on 07.29.2009

i disagree. okafor is a better scorer and shot-blocker than chandler, and seems to be less of an injury risk. from a strictly basketball perspective, i feel new orleans improved and charlotte got worse. from a financial standpoint, charlotte did save money, but not $60M. chandler has a $13M player option for ’11 he’ll almost certainly exercise in addition to the $12M he’s due this year. add in the fact that the bobcats will have to either re-sign chandler at the end of that deal or sign a replacement 5, and there is no way they’ll be saving all of the $40M okafor is due in ’12, ’13, & ’14. the real advantage to dealing okafor is it makes the team easier to sell without that long-term financial commitment. btw, okafor is owed $62M total over 5 years; he completed the first year of his 6-yr, $72M deal this past season. .

Posted by
kenny
on 07.28.2009

what a stuprid trade for the hornets all they needed was a solid 2 and 3 and they would be up there with the elite team...tyson is a way better 5 then oka-dork whose paul gonna throw those easy alleys to now?? .

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Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

The Okafor-Chandler trade: Charlotte cuts salary, New Orleans appeases Chris Paul

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