The Hornets were one of the last teams in the NBA to acquire a veteran player, but when they finally did they made a big splash. They traded center Tyson Chandler to the Bobcats in exchange for center Emeka Okafor.
The Hornets had been exploring the possibility of moving Chandler since the Thunder had rescinded a trade for Chandler in February because of concerns about his surgically repaired toe. That trade would have brought the Hornets improved depth in the form of center Joe Smith and forward Chris Wilcox, and financial flexibility in the form of their expiring contracts. But it would have left them searching for a starting center during the offseason.
This trade gives them a starting center in Okafor (who's the same age as Chandler -- 26), someone of comparable if not better ability, saves them more than a million in salary each of the next two seasons, and gives them a player locked up with a long-term contract (five years remaining).
The trade accomplished a primary offseason goal -- to settle Chandler's situation and reduce salary.
"We feel we've added a piece to our program that we're going to have for a long time," general manager Jeff Bower said. "We have a long-term option for our center position. I think it shows we are interested in improving and are interested in competing in the Western Conference, and we're willing to pay a price to do that."
Bower said he will try to make additional moves. The Hornets have 14 players under contract, which is the number they've carried the last two seasons, but one below the NBA regular-season limit.
