NBA Trade Talk: Okafor Already On The Way Out?

After Byron Scott was rightfully fired, the New Orleans Hornets appear to be making their second major move of what is a very early NBA season. According to Rotoworld, the Hornets are discussing a deal that would send Emeka Okafor to the Kings for Kenny Thomas. “The Kings are discussing a trade that would send Kenny Thomas to New Orleans in exchange for center Emeka Okafor. The move would be a salary dump for New Orleans, as Thomas’ $8.7 million is expiring this season. Okafor, on the other hand, is due about $62 million over the next five seasons.” Even if this trade does not happen and the teams only reach the discussion phase, it is painfully obvious that now head coach Jeff Bower has given up on the year. At 3-7, the Hornets are a team in total transition. They have no bench to speak of, every single free agent pick (Peja, Mo Peterson, and James Posey) has been a huge disappointment, and now Chris Paul could be out several weeks with an ankle injury. Not only are they losing, but the games haven’t been close. Three out of their last four losses have been by 17, 16, and 20 points respectively. But with all that being said, does this trade make sense? Even at 3-7, the Hornets do have a chance of making the playoffs. Right now the Kings and Rockets are pegged in as the 7th and 8th seeds. Do we really think they can last for the next 70 games? A healthy Chris Paul and David West along with Emeka Okafor could buy you an 8th seed in the West, but that shouldn’t be the answer. With little chance of making noise in May, maybe the Hornets should dump Continue reading NBA Trade Talk: Okafor Already On The Way Out?