It’s very seldom that a trade fits in perfect with both teams. But in the Bobcats deal with the Hornets – moving Emeka Okafor to New Orleans for Tyson Chandler – both teams can say they’ve accomplished their goals.
The Bobcats get a player in Tyson Chandler who best fits the center position. When healthy, he’s a force at both ends of the floor. In his three years in New Orleans, Chandler averaged 10.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks and was a reliable inside target for Chris Paul to finish inside. His best seasons came in New Orleans in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
Chandler’s health has been in question over the last year and a half, but he’ll be ready to go for the Bobcats in 2009-10. A lingering toe injury nullified a trade between the Hornets and the Thunder at the trade deadline this past season. That was compounded by a nagging ankle sprain that sidelined him all but 45 games in 2008-09. Offseason corrective surgeries in both areas leave Chandler 100 percent ready to go at training camp with full flexibility in both areas.
Chandler is an outstanding rebounder, averaging no less than 8.3 per game over the last five years. He’s every bit the offensive rebounder that Emeka Okafor is with numbers that started at 4.4 per game in the 2004-05 season and were still at a representative 3.2 despite the injuries of last season. Not only is Chandler a reliable option in the post, but he’s exceptionally good at helping to generate second-chance shots.
Emeka Okafor is entering his sixth NBA season with a considerable upside in the areas of offensive development. He’ll fit in the Hornets style because he won’t place demands to have the ball in his hands, yet he’s still capable of posting a season double-double. He’s done it consistently for the last five years in Charlotte.
On the personal side, both of these young are outstanding community servants. I asked Hornets Media Relations Director Harold Kaufman to compare Tyson Chandler to someone I might relate to and he instantly said, “ P.J. Brown.” In two seasons in Charlotte, Brown was one of the most well-liked Hornets, as my daughter’s autographed #42 jersey attests.
It’s hard to see Emeka go, because in the beginning he was the most consistent positive element of an expansion franchise. But Tyson Chandler will bring an energy to the Bobcats at both ends that will definitely project them into the playoff race in the East
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