Okafor gets six-year extension: The Charlotte Bobcats came to terms with Emeka Okafor on Tuesday on a six-year, $72 million deal with the restricted free agent. The move comes a year after Okafor turned down a contract for similar money and assures new coach Larry Brown will have the team's top inside presence when he begins his record ninth NBA coaching job in the fall. "It was very important for us to get a deal done," general manager Rod Higgins said. "He creates a sense of security around the basket for us. He's a guy that I think his skills are still developing in a lot of ways. Having Larry as our head coach now, Emeka will benefit having a great coach to teach him." (Updated 07/29/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 8/7/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Okafor averaged 13.8 points and 10.7 rebounds a game last season, the fourth consecutive year he's averaged a double-double. Okafor also led the team in blocked shots (1.7 per game) and field-goal percentage (53.5). Head coach Larry Brown had said it was critical they retain Okafor for his defense and inside presence on a team that struggled to rebound last season. He is going to be a double-double machine again in 2008-09 and should average around 14 points and 10 boards, making him useful as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy center or a solid No. 2 or 3 Fantasy forward. (Updated 07/29/2008).
Okafor has signed his six-year, $72 million free-agent deal with the Charlotte Bobcats. (Updated 07/31/2008)
Advice
Okafor agreed to terms early Tuesday after nearly a month of negotiations. He signed the richest contract in team history Thursday and said in a statement that he's looking forward to playing under new coach Larry Brown. The 6-foot-10 Okafor has averaged 14.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in four seasons in Charlotte. He was the expansion team's first draft pick and the second overall selection in 2004.
Okafor gets six-year extension: The Charlotte Bobcats came to terms with Emeka Okafor on Tuesday on a six-year, $72 million deal with the restricted free agent. The move comes a year after Okafor turned down a contract for similar money and assures new coach Larry Brown will have the team's top inside presence when he begins his record ninth NBA coaching job in the fall. "It was very important for us to get a deal done," general manager Rod Higgins said. "He creates a sense of security around the basket for us. He's a guy that I think his skills are still developing in a lot of ways. Having Larry as our head coach now, Emeka will benefit having a great coach to teach him." (Updated 07/29/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 8/7/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Okafor averaged 13.8 points and 10.7 rebounds a game last season, the fourth consecutive year he's averaged a double-double. Okafor also led the team in blocked shots (1.7 per game) and field-goal percentage (53.5). Head coach Larry Brown had said it was critical they retain Okafor for his defense and inside presence on a team that struggled to rebound last season. He is going to be a double-double machine again in 2008-09 and should average around 14 points and 10 boards, making him useful as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy center or a solid No. 2 or 3 Fantasy forward. (Updated 07/29/2008).
