The New Orleans Hornets are closing in on a trade that would send center Tyson Chandler to the Charlotte Bobcats for Emeka Okafor, signaling the Hornets' unexpected intent to keep up with the contenders and spenders in the Western Conference.
NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com that the deal was nearly consummated Friday and that talks had advanced to the point that the swap could be completed later Monday or Tuesday, barring any unexpected late snags.
Although Chandler ($11.7 million) and Okafor ($10.6) carry similar salaries for next season, New Orleans' apparent willingness to take on Okafor's contract -- with four years remaining after next season -- is a marked departure from the Hornets' recent cost-conscious efforts to move Chandler.
The Hornets dealt Chandler to Oklahoma City days before the league's annual trading deadline in February for the expiring contracts of Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith, only for the Thunder to rescind the trade 24 hours later because of concerns about Chandler's longstanding toe problems.
The widespread belief then and during New Orleans' subsequent discussions with Phoenix about swapping Chandler for the expiring contract of Ben Wallace -- which Phoenix has since bought out -- maintained that New Orleans was determined to shed Chandler's contract only for an expiring deal to create payroll relief.
Swapping Chandler for Okafor will only save the Hornets just over $1 million next season and cost them an extra $40-plus million over the final three years of Okafor's deal if the 26-year-old exercises his $14.5 million option for the 2013-14 season. Chandler has just one year left on his contract after this season at $12.6 million.
Although Chandler was a favorite of Hornets star Chris Paul for his ability to run the floor and finish lobs, making a so-called "basketball trade" as opposed to a salary dump is bound to be interpreted as a statement that the Hornets remain intent on keeping a quality team around their point guard.
It was not immediately known if the teams would expand the deal to include other players, but sources close to the process said talks featuring Chandler and Okafor as the main components have been ongoing since late last week.
The Bobcats would be giving up the only starting center in franchise history for Chandler, who was restricted to just 45 games last season because of myriad foot injuries. Okafor averaged 13.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks last season in the first year of a new six-year, $72 million deal with the Bobcats.
Chandler averaged 8.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game last season.
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This is such a horrible trade for the Bobcats.
Okafor is a way better offensive options, and personally I think Chandler is just intellectually lacking in the defensive department.
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