Okafor Response
A quick response to reader Ethan's recent comment about whether the Grizzlies should pursue Emeka Okafor:
I didn't mean to imply that the team SHOULDN'T go after Okafor. I meant that using the cap space right now didn't HAVE to be just a matter of a major free-agent target.
On Okafor -- he would add some much-needed defense, rebounding, and experience to the frontline. But, I think there are a couple of problems:
1. Fit: Is he a center or power forward. If he's a center then you're probably already in decent shape there with Darko/Gasol and certainly already have money tied up at that position.
If he's a power forward, then he's a bad fit with Darko (no offense). He's a better fit with Gasol is Gasol can be an immediate scoring threat, but that's a pretty slow frontcourt. Is that a problem? Not sure.
If there were some way to include Darko in a sign-and-trade for Okafor, I think that would be a good fit, but with Larry Brown in Charlotte, I don't see that happening.
2. Cost: Okafor would be a good get for the right price, but he's restricted, so you probably can't get him for the right price. If it takes a max-type deal to get him, is that really worth it for an injury-prone big man with limited scoring ability? I like Okafor, but I tend to think he's a little overrated.
Some of the same concerns, in terms of fit (dupicating Rudy) and cost would apply to Josh Smith as well.
I'd continue to explore potential trade targets, such as Anderson Varejao, Josh Boone/Sean Williams, and David Lee, though I think the market for those players is less than what it used to be since all three teams have somewhat addressed their backcourts recently.
