TRADE: Hornets sending Okafor and Ariza to Wizards for Rashard Lewis, 2nd rounder

[QUOTE=niko]Not sure what Washington is doing. Clogs their cap for 2 more years, makes them decent at best. Nene and Okafor is a decent front line but it's not winning anything. It could miss the playoffs still. And they found a way to clog their cap even longer than the Lewis contract did.[/QUOTE]

Not everything is about winning a championship. Sometimes you just want to get better and change the culture. You want to surround Wall with some established players so he can learn and also so he'll stay there. That old Washington situation was toxic.

[QUOTE=GOBB]Wash drafted Jan Vesely (6th) and Chris Singleton (18) last draft. You then trade for Ariza who will be there for atleast a season (maybe 2 if he doesnt opt out). Turning around and drafting MGK wouldnt make sense. Sure he's talented in comparison to those 3. But what do you do with the others?

Meanwhile your SG position Jordon Crawford. Who else? Roger Mason, Mo Evans? Come on. :confusedshrug:[/QUOTE]

isnt vesely a pf?

i still dont think having ariza and singleton justifies not taking the better prospect

[QUOTE=bagelred][B]Not everything is about winning a championship. [/B]Sometimes you just want to get better and change the culture. You want to surround Wall with some established players so he can learn and also so he'll stay there. That old Washington situation was toxic.[/QUOTE]

changing the culture is a necessity for winning a championship

The Wizards have a pretty good front court now, if Beal/Barnes turns out to be a good SG for them then they definitely could be a surprise team next year.

[QUOTE=WillyJakk]Posted this on another forum:

Honestly love the trade for Washington.

Seems like a "Transformers" trade...there's more to it than meets the eye.

[B]I think they're gonna try to put themselves in position to maybe trade Okafor+#3 for Bynum or something big like that.

Not saying the Lakers go for it or if Bynum is even the target but it seems like they have ulterior motives like trading Nene+#3 or Okafor+#3, likely Nene since his contract is longer.[/B]

This way they can easily sign a FA SG to put next to Wall.

Maybe even Okafor +#3 or Nene +#3 for Perkins & Harden?[/QUOTE]

Wow, wonder what Laker fans think of those trades? They're very interesting, maintains a good frontcourt and adds a young potential franchise player for Bynum. And obviously makes the Wizards very dangerous if they can find a good FA SG.

I like Seraphin. Ariza hasn't had a good game in three years. Wizards should've kept the cap space.

Look at the money for Washington. It is nearly 20 mil a year for a 11/8 guy and a 10/5 guy. I think thats poor spending. I think Okafor is solid but would be a good guy on a contender not a fringe playoff team. The problem is the only place his contract fits is on a poor or mediocre team. Ariza and Wall will be an exposive combo in more than 1 way. I'm sure there will be some highlights but they will battle on a nightly basis for taking the most shots and making bad decisions.

New Orleans really has set itself up well long-term. Davis, & #10 pick plus the possibility of resigning Gordon and LOTS of money. When they cut Lewis, they will be among the best teams financially and lots of young parts in Aminu, Vasquez and Henry.

Like most trades, this is a good trade for both teams.
I like what Washington is doing here... bringing in solid, hard working, high-character veterans to set examples and actually contribute.
They will be improved next year.

[QUOTE=WillyJakk]Posted this on another forum:

Honestly love the trade for Washington.

Seems like a "Transformers" trade...there's more to it than meets the eye.

I think they're gonna try to put themselves in position to maybe trade Okafor+#3 for Bynum or something big like that.

Not saying the Lakers go for it or if Bynum is even the target but it seems like they have ulterior motives like trading Nene+#3 or Okafor+#3, likely Nene since his contract is longer.

This way they can easily sign a FA SG to put next to Wall.

Maybe even Okafor +#3 or Nene +#3 for Perkins & Harden?[/QUOTE]

i only like that if its a 3 team trade and that goes to nets and lakers get DWil. we need to win now, no time for a rookie

[QUOTE=bagelred]Not everything is about winning a championship. Sometimes you just want to get better and change the culture. You want to surround Wall with some established players so he can learn and also so he'll stay there. That old Washington situation was toxic.[/QUOTE]
Seraphin looks like a good player. So he'll be buried behind two veterans who aren't getting any better. They traded into mediocrity You don't want to be mediocre. You want to be good or suck. Mediocre gets you midlevel picks. They are no closer to being good than they were last year.

I get the idea, but why Okafor and Ariza? THey are both so meh...

[QUOTE=GOBB]How long before Andray Blatche gets traded?



[/QUOTE]

He's untradeable.

Assuming this means they are drafting Beal which is a shame because I want Gilchrist

[QUOTE=chips93]just because they traded for ariza doesnt mean that they wont draft MKG, they would be retarded to think ariza is a long term solution at SF. ariza is garbage, and not somebody you wanna build around. they should still draft mkg




and on top of that, lied. beal averaged 6.5 boards a game, not 2[/QUOTE]

Not really, they drafted Vesely and Singleton, both small forwards last year in the first round. It's not likely they're going to roll with 4 small forwards, 3 of who can't shoot. Ariza's locked up for a few years and could be a solid contributor. Wall, Beal, Ariza, Nene and Okafor could be a real killer lineup defensively.

You know it's great for the Wizards to add some more talented veterans to help balance the youth and give them someone to help them learn the right way... but why'd they have to get two highly paid vets? At least they'll both be able to contribute.

Well I thought Washington should take Beal before, and this just solidifies that. Barnes wouldn't be a bad choice either.

Side note: it amazes me how much MKG's stock has fallen. He went from sure fire #2 to the top 5-6.

[QUOTE=The Macho Man]He's untradeable.

Assuming this means they are drafting Beal which is a shame because I want Gilchrist[/QUOTE]

Amnesty for Andre. Clears out 7 million in cap space.

So the wizards just traded a expiring contract for Ariza and Okafor, $48mil tied up until 2014...

Weren't big expiring contracts supposed to be really,really valuable?



:biggums:

[QUOTE=Blue&Orange]So the wizards just traded a expiring contract for Ariza and Okafor, $48mil tied up until 2014...

Weren't big expiring contracts supposed to be really,really valuable?



:biggums:[/QUOTE]

The Wizards are more interested in changing their locker room culture than anything else and having veteran guys around Wall and whoever they pick this year.

They've done that. Let's see if Okafor, Nene and Ariza stay healthy.

Maybe we will see Ariza swapped out for JJ Redick, whose shooting would help stretch the floor for the Wizards.

[QUOTE=Grinder]Not really, they drafted Vesely and Singleton, both small forwards last year in the first round. It's not likely they're going to roll with 4 small forwards, 3 of who can't shoot. Ariza's locked up for a few years and could be a solid contributor. Wall, Beal, Ariza, Nene and Okafor could be a real killer lineup defensively.[/QUOTE]

the more i think about, im not so sure

theres reports coming, supporting both sides, some saying that it will have no effect, others saying its case-closed, they are taking beal

guess we'll have to wait and see

as for vesely, of the 20 lin-ups he was most featured in, he wasnt a SF once, so hes definitely a PF right now, he was a center more than he was a SF

[url]http://www.82games.com/1112/11WAS14.HTM[/url]

Hornets needed to free-up minutes for Aminu, plus there was no need for Okafor with Davis on the way. Plus, the amount of cap space they'll free up once they dump Lewis.

Wizards needed some vets. Good deal for both teams.

[QUOTE=Kujo]Hornets needed to free-up minutes for Aminu, plus there was no need for Okafor with Davis on the way. Plus, the amount of cap space they'll free up once they dump Lewis.

Wizards needed some vets. Good deal for both teams.[/QUOTE]

The Hornets needed Okafor, espescially at C. He was hurt last season but he's the right type of compliment as a bulky 6'10 C who maintains the post to be paired with a skinny PF like Anthony Davis.

Davis is going to spend much of next season trying to find his game, whether facing up to attack the basket or mid-range jumpers. I think it would be a bad decision for New Orleans to expect him to play in the post on offense or defense as a rookie. He should be more of a weakside help defender in the NBA so he can collect blocks.

[QUOTE=chips93]the more i think about, im not so sure

theres reports coming, supporting both sides, some saying that it will have no effect, others saying its case-closed, they are taking beal

guess we'll have to wait and see

as for vesely, of the 20 lin-ups he was most featured in, he wasnt a SF once, so hes definitely a PF right now, he was a center more than he was a SF

[url]http://www.82games.com/1112/11WAS14.HTM[/url][/QUOTE]

The only problem with drafting MKG would be that you'd be hoping that your PG & SF can develop jumpshots ASAP, along with your Top 10 pick from last season in Vesely. That would be 3 straight Top 10 picks who can't shoot the ball to help space the floor on offense, and thats a huge problem.

At the same time, the Wizards "best shooter" would be Jordan Crawford at SG and he shot a terrible 28% from 3.

[QUOTE=Rowe]The only problem with drafting MKG would be that you'd be hoping that your PG & SF can develop jumpshots ASAP, along with your Top 10 pick from last season in Vesely. That would be 3 straight Top 10 picks who can't shoot the ball to help space the floor on offense, and thats a huge problem.

At the same time, the Wizards "best shooter" would be Jordan Crawford at SG and he shot a terrible 28% from 3.[/QUOTE]

thats a great point, and its something im sure the wizards FO has spent a lot of time mulling over

[QUOTE=The Macho Man]He's untradeable.

Assuming this means they are drafting Beal which is a shame because I want Gilchrist[/QUOTE]

A lot of teams would take him if it meant getting a first round pick in the deal. Lakers should trade him for their TPE.

[QUOTE=Rowe]The Hornets needed Okafor, espescially at C. He was hurt last season but he's the right type of compliment as a bulky 6'10 C who maintains the post to be paired with a skinny PF like Anthony Davis.

Davis is going to spend much of next season trying to find his game, whether facing up to attack the basket or mid-range jumpers. I think it would be a bad decision for New Orleans to expect him to play in the post on offense or defense as a rookie. He should be more of a weakside help defender in the NBA so he can collect blocks.[/QUOTE]

Agree with this.
Also Okafor can beat up people up where Davis can't. No one questions Okafor's toughness.

That said, maybe NO will go after a big in free agency, Asik or Lopez. Asik could play the same role of banger/protector that Okafor played. He's no softy.

[QUOTE=The Macho Man]He's untradeable.

Assuming this means they are drafting Beal which is a shame because I want Gilchrist[/QUOTE]

Someone could trade for him. Just depends on what Wizards are willing to take back in return.

[QUOTE=GOBB]Someone could trade for him. Just depends on what Wizards are willing to take back in return.[/QUOTE]
Blatche is awful. I'd be shocked if any team even considered trading for him

[QUOTE=hawkfan]Agree with this.
Also Okafor can beat up people up where Davis can't. No one questions Okafor's toughness.

That said, maybe NO will go after a big in free agency, Asik or Lopez. Asik could play the same role of banger/protector that Okafor played. He's no softy.[/QUOTE]
Okafor was never the same after he got hurt midway through the 10/11 season. He was an absolute non-factor in the NOLA-Lakers series and got manhandled by both Gasol and Bynum (yes I know top big men), and the games he played this past season, he just wasn't the same, could've been due to injury, but I don't think so. Also Mek is as soft as there is when he has the ball in the paint.

BUT, Mek did produce the Block of the year :bowdown:
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOAUzD65sA0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOAUzD65sA0[/URL]

so does this mean that wizards are gunning for bradley beal and the cavs have a better shot at MKG?

[QUOTE=LBJMVP]so does this mean that wizards are gunning for bradley beal and the cavs have a better shot at MKG?[/QUOTE]

It would appear that way:( :( :( :(

great for both teams imo.

good on the wizards.. finally bringing some relatively-decent players to back up john wall. hurray!

i hope they ship out jordan crawford too, that guy is a bone head.

[QUOTE=Rowe]The only problem with drafting MKG would be that you'd be hoping that your PG & SF can develop jumpshots ASAP, along with your Top 10 pick from last season in Vesely. That would be 3 straight Top 10 picks who can't shoot the ball to help space the floor on offense, and thats a huge problem.

At the same time, the Wizards "best shooter" would be Jordan Crawford at SG and he shot a terrible 28% from 3.[/QUOTE]
There is no problem with drafting MKG No. 4 overall in the draft, considering I think he is the second best player and may have the best pro career of anyone entering this year.

Of course, it is all conjecture at this point, but I'd rather have a very athletic, high character, high motor workaholic with a hitch in his jumper as opposed to a guy with a good jumper but not a great athlete, not a great motor and a questionable character.

The jumpshot is quite literally MKG's only drawback. He is the youngest player in the draft and may step into the league as a second or even first tier defender and rebounder for his position.

Yeah... I'll take it.

Kyrie can shoot the lights out. It isn't like our young core is lacking jumpshots across the board (like Washington).

As a Raptors fan I love this trade. Why? Because it's completely idiotic for Washington and whoever is running that team is an impatient moron. There's one East team you probably don't have to worry much about for the next little bit.

Since they have locked themselves into irrelevant mediocrity for the next couple years, Washington better score huge in this upcoming draft because it's their last chance to get a significant piece to add to their core (which consists of only John Wall). This is exactly how you don't build a long-term winner and manage your cap in the NBA.

[QUOTE=Qwyjibo]As a Raptors fan I love this trade. Why? Because it's completely idiotic for Washington and whoever is running that team is an impatient moron. There's one East team you probably don't have to worry much about for the next little bit.

Since they have locked themselves into irrelevant mediocrity for the next couple years, Washington better score huge in this upcoming draft because it's their last chance to get a significant piece to add to their core (which consists of only John Wall). This is exactly how you don't build a long-term winner and manage your cap in the NBA.[/QUOTE]

They will still be terrible and get high draft picks

[QUOTE=The Macho Man]They will still be terrible and get high draft picks[/QUOTE]
With how weak the East is? I doubt it. They are a team that should be able to sneak into the 8th seed and of course immediately get swept.

For a team so far away from being good, I don't understand how bringing in high-priced players like Nene, Okafor and Ariza makes any sense. Those guys at their best are merely "above-average". What Washington is doing is exactly what I fear Bryan Colangelo might do to the Raptors very soon. Build the ultimate treadmill team.

Some of the talk in this thread about a "winning culture" is total nonsense as well, IMO. When you get that by building the ultimate treadmill team, it's not going to make any difference in the long-run. Washington should be building a talented young core to go along with Wall.

This trade says to me that the Wizards expect Wall to jump into a Rose type player next season. Not sure about that, but its possible.

[QUOTE=Qwyjibo]With how weak the East is? I doubt it. They are a team that should be able to sneak into the 8th seed and of course immediately get swept.

For a team so far away from being good, I don't understand how bringing in high-priced players like Nene, Okafor and Ariza makes any sense. Those guys at their best are merely "above-average". What Washington is doing is exactly what I fear Bryan Colangelo might do to the Raptors very soon. Build the ultimate treadmill team.

Some of the talk in this thread about a "winning culture" is total nonsense as well, IMO. When you get that by building the ultimate treadmill team, it's not going to make any difference in the long-run. Washington should be building a talented young core to go along with Wall.[/QUOTE]

I agree that would be terrible for them. I just don't think they will be that good.

Think the only teams in the east that will be worse are the Bobcats and Raptors and possibly Nets depending what happens with them.

[QUOTE=Qwyjibo]As a Raptors fan I love this trade. Why? Because it's completely idiotic for Washington and whoever is running that team is an impatient moron. There's one East team you probably don't have to worry much about for the next little bit.

Since they have locked themselves into irrelevant mediocrity for the next couple years, Washington better score huge in this upcoming draft because it's their last chance to get a significant piece to add to their core (which consists of only John Wall). This is exactly how you don't build a long-term winner and manage your cap in the NBA.[/QUOTE]

You are overreacting my friend.

1st of all, this smells of a stepping stone trade. I don't see us keeping everyone on the current roster.

2nd off, Both players become expiring contracts after next season. With the ability to amnesty Andray Blatche, we have 7 million freed up off of the books

3rd, and seemingly most important, we have brought some real professionals to show these young guys how to be real pros. People seem to forget that the Wizards have 7 players under the age of 23.

4th, I may be mistaken, but I don't feel there are any big name free agents that are worth going after this year or next. Why not get a few players who can help improve some of the young guys.

5th, Ernie Grunfeld AND HC Randy Wittman have 2 years left on their deals, so this team could potentially be a whole new organization in 2 years. With that being said, this trade makes us better now and still gives us flexibility in the near future.

[QUOTE=Qwyjibo]As a Raptors fan I love this trade. Why? Because it's completely idiotic for Washington and whoever is running that team is an impatient moron. There's one East team you probably don't have to worry much about for the next little bit.

Since they have locked themselves into irrelevant mediocrity for the next couple years, Washington better score huge in this upcoming draft because it's their last chance to get a significant piece to add to their core (which consists of only John Wall). This is exactly how you don't build a long-term winner and manage your cap in the NBA.[/QUOTE]
as a hornets fan I love it too, cheers :cheers: also that's what I've always been afraid of NOLA becoming

[QUOTE=KingBeasley08]Blatche is awful. I'd be shocked if any team even considered trading for him[/QUOTE]

I thought the same for Samuel Dalembert and he was traded for. All it takes for one team to feel they could be the change of enviroment for Blatche. You shouldnt be shocked. The guys who are untradeable are superstars like Durant, Rose, Bron.

[QUOTE=G-train]This trade says to me that the Wizards expect Wall to jump into a Rose type player next season. Not sure about that, but its possible.[/QUOTE]

This was the first thing I thought when I saw that this trade was going down. Glad to see that the Wiz believe in him so much, and I really believe the team has given him a good enough supporting cast to make the playoffs if he develops as i expect.

[QUOTE=G-train]This trade says to me that the Wizards expect Wall to jump into a Rose type player next season. Not sure about that, but its possible.[/QUOTE]
Pretty much. The Wizards just accelerated their rebuilding (for no good reason, IMO). They need to hope that whoever they pick in this draft turns into at least a solid starter in the NBA and that Wall turns into a star. I like John Wall and think he's a great piece to build with but again, I don't know why Washington is rushing things like this. Oh wait, now I do...

[QUOTE]5th, Ernie Grunfeld AND HC Randy Wittman have 2 years left on their deals, so this team could potentially be a whole new organization in 2 years. With that being said, this trade makes us better now and still gives us flexibility in the near future.[/QUOTE]
If that's the case then it's obvious why this trade was made. The front office is scrambling to save their jobs. They want to put out a winner ASAP even if it's an illusion of a middling team with a low long-term ceiling. This is the problem with not getting rid of management and allowing them to screw over the long-term prospects of your team. Again, as a Raptors fan, I know this too well as it's likely about to happen here in Toronto this offseason.

[QUOTE]2nd off, Both players become expiring contracts after next season. With the ability to amnesty Andray Blatche, we have 7 million freed up off of the books[/QUOTE]
Both Okafor and Ariza have 2 years left (Nene too), Rashard had 1. The Wizards just wasted an extra year or cap room with this trade. The part I don't like is that they added enough mediocre to solid players to not be in a position to nab another lottery pick and finish rebuilding properly.