New Orleans Pelicans Trade Pursuit for a Big Man: Lopez or Okafor?

The New Orleans Pelicans have already been linked to two centers near the trade deadline in Brook Lopez and Jahlil Okafor.

The New Orleans Pelicans are looking to make a big move on a center. They have before the trade deadline on February 23rd. There have been two big names being circling in rumors so far. They are Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers and Brook Lopez of the Brooklyn Nets.

The Pelicans haven’t been hiding their cards to their chests this season. They have been adamant in pursuing another big man to the roster. With Anthony Davis currently at the number-five position, bringing in a true center can finally move Davis back to four. This would help showcase his wider range of movement and shot taking.

Not only would another big man free up Anthony Davis, but also help the team on both ends of the court. This is specifically inside the paint, which have been lackluster at best. The Pelicans have a 16th ranking offensively and 19th defensively.

Out of the two big men in Lopez and Okafor, however, the big question is who would be the better man for the Pelicans?

Jahlil Okafor

As an athletic big man, comparable and similar to Anthony Davis, Okafor has a quick first step. He also can beat opponents playing one-on-one ball. Okafor can shoot the ball from nearly anywhere and shoots well. His impressive 51.3 percent is a strong highlight, so far this season.

But Okafor has also seen his minutes and stats diminish. This is due to the emergence of a likely future superstar in Joel Embiid. Now only playing an average of 23.2 minutes per game, Okafor is scoring below his first-season average of only 11.6 points and fewer than five rebounds per game.

At only 21 years old, Okafor has plenty of room to grow and develop. He certainly has plenty of years ahead of him. He already plays the game at high intensity. However, he has yet to display his versatility on the defensive end and develop his playmaking.

Trade talks in exchange for Okafor have been rumored with the Pelicans heavy of late. The proposed deal would send Alexis Ajinca and a future first-round pick in exchange. On paper, this is not a horrible deal, but would the Pelicans really be better with him?

Brook Lopez

Then there’s the soon-to-be 29 year old in Brook Lopez. Lopez has a big frame and a strong body center, that is both proven and experienced. He continues to play at a high level, averaging his career high this season with 20.5 PPG, 2.6 APG, and 5.2 RPG.

Although his shooting percentage underachieves Okafor’s, he is still shooting a reliable 46.7 percent and 33.3 percent from the three-point line. But more advantageously, Lopez is a big man who can pass the ball extremely well. He is currently ninth in the NBA among big men in dimes this year.

Unfortunately, a deal for Lopez would involve a bigger lot. Rumors include Tim Frazier, Langston Galloway, Tyreke Evans, and a 2018 first-round pick to make Lopez a Pelican. Even that deal is probably under Brooklyn’s asking price.

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Both centers, Lopez and Okafor, have drastically different playing styles. But in the end, the player coming to the Pelicans must be a player who will solve a problem and not create one. For Jahlil Okafor it might the latter.

Because of Okafor’s similar playing style to Anthony Davis, it is difficult to imagine how Okafor’s identity and role will be instantly taken on. Okafor is a dynamic player,, but relies on taking the shot rather than making a play. That may conflict with Davis.

The Pelicans are a team that needs to move the ball more frequently and more efficiently. Okafor may slow down the already slow-paced Pelicans.

Okafor has also seen criticism of being weak defensively and rebounding. In the Western Conference, against a reputable pool of big men such as DeMarcus Cousins, Marc Gasol, and DeAndre Jordan, Okafor may further struggle in these areas.

Brook Lopez would ultimately be the better fit for the Pelicans. The saying of “Pick on somebody your own size” in the NBA is not a custom. The very likelihood of getting bullied by a bigger man is an opportunity every team will want to take.

Although Lopez isn’t as dynamic as Okafor, Lopez is a true bully inside the paint and can punish even other big men with his frame and strength; not to mention doing the same on the defensive end.

As a true center in Lopez, there is a clearer identity to how he will fit with the team, along with his responsibilities. With his passing and pick-and-roll abilities, there is no doubt plentiful of big plays to the rim will be the new norm from either Davis or Lopez.

Even if the Pelicans do decide to reel Okafor in, though, it would not be necessarily dreadful either; the team may just need a longer time to adjust.

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If the team wants an immediate impact on day one, Lopez is more ideal. And even if the team misses the playoffs this season, having Lopez, Davis and Jrue Holiday could potentially be attractive enough to lure some big names in Free Agency for the next season.