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Wittman said Okafor hasn’t experienced any problems with his knee or elsewhere during practice: “He looks fine. He’s been fine all summer and he’s been full bore ever since we got a hold of him.” Okafor is diligent when it comes to managing his body and has tried to make sure that he doesn’t push himself too hard and risk suffering a more serious injury down the road. “Early in the summer I was feeling very good,” he said. “I knew that the season was Part II of the rehab. Just make sure I used the month of October to properly get myself back into NBA shape. Just go at it at a steady pace.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Emeka Okafor, Injuries 

“My left knee just had some soreness and tightness and we had some trouble getting it down,” Okafor said, explaining his situation last season. “I never had an issue with my left knee and it’s one of those things. I was rehabbing with the intention of trying to come back and play, but just the timeline didn’t allow for it. I’m pretty good now.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Emeka Okafor, Injuries 

What was your reaction when you first got traded? EMEKA OKAFOR: "Outside of the initial surprise of being traded, it was pretty much nothing but positive. I'm a fan of D.C. as a city. There's a very good mix, a lot of different people, and it's a city, you know? Basketball-wise, I know they finished on a strong note, and they have a lot of hidden talent. Nene, Jan, etc. After the initial shock of the trade, it was pretty good." Bullets Forever

Washington Wizards, Trade, Emeka Okafor 

Ted Leonsis: We will now have the opportunity to surround the young players with five to six seasoned vets. We added Nene last season, and now we have added Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza. All three will play in our rotation next season and are experienced, tough and talented. They are “team first” in attitude kinds of players that have had championship successes – one in college (UConn) and one in the pro ranks (Lakers). Ted Leonsis

Washington Wizards, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Ted Leonsis 

Craig Stouffer: Grunfeld didn't give specifics on Okafor's knee injury, said still has to pass physical, that he was durable prior to past season. #Wizards Twitter

Washington Wizards, Emeka Okafor, Ernie Grunfeld, Injuries 

The Washington Wizards traded Rashard Lewis and the No. 46 overall pick in next week’s NBA draft to the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday in exchange for forwards Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza. “We are pleased to add two more solid pieces as we continue to build our roster with a balance of proven veterans and the core of young talent that we have developed,” Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement. “Emeka’s defensive presence and rebounding ability will combine with Trevor’s versatility to add new dimensions to our frontcourt, and both players fit in very well with the type of team-first culture that we have been working to establish.” Washington Times

New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Ernie Grunfeld, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis 

Fox8 Sports has learned through a league source that Rashard Lewis, just acquired by the Hornets can be released on July 1st to free up $7 million in cap space for the Hornets. The team traded Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza to the Washington Wizards for Lewis and the 46th overall pick in the draft. Fox8Live.com

New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis 

Yannis Koutroupis: Lewis' chances of playing in N.O. classified as "extremely highly unlikely" by source. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis 

Yannis Koutroupis: Barring an unlikely change, Rashard Lewis will become a free agent according to sources. New Orleans Hornets will buy him out. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis 

The Washington Wizards have reached an agreement to deal Rashard Lewis and the No. 46 pick in the upcoming NBA draft to the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for veterans Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza. Washington Post

New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis 

Lewis was not in the plans for the Wizards going into the next season and had to find a willing trade partner or give him a $13.7 million buyout by June 30. Rather than pay Lewis not to play for them, the Wizards elected to use that money on Okafor, the No. 2 pick of the 2004 NBA draft, and Ariza, who won a championship ring in 2009 with the Los Angeles Lakers. Okafor and Ariza are owed a combined $43 million through 2013-14 and are expected to provide an added veteran presence for a team that currently has seven players with less than three years of experience and will add two more rookies in the draft, with picks No. 3 and No. 32. Washington Post

New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis 

Ken Berger: Souce confirms @DraftExpress report that Hornets have agreed to trade Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza to Wizards for Rashard Lewis, 46th pick. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Draft, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis 

Marc Stein: Confirming what @DraftExpress just tweeted: Wiz have agreed to trade Rashard Lewis and 2012 second-rounder for Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Draft, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis 

Marc Stein: Draft buzz: Hearing that teams calling Hornets being told that it'll take more to get No. 10 pick than taking on Ariza or Okafor contract Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza 

Shaun Powell: Hornets will entertain offers for 10th pick if someone also agrees to take Ariza or Okafor contracts. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza 

Tim Chisholm: Also, Kaman is now probably free to leave NOH, and a Davis/Okafor frontline is all defense Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Emeka Okafor, Chris Kaman, Anthony Davis 

The Hornets also could decide to use their one-time amnesty clause to waive center Emeka Okafor to clear more salary-cap space. Okafor is owed $28 million over the next two seasons. Even if the Hornets were to use the amnesty clause, Okafor is still owed the money, but it wouldn’t count against their salary cap. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Free Agency, Emeka Okafor 

Going into today’s deadline, the Hornets have been trying to trade center Emeka Okafor, and they have listened to offers for starting small forward Trevor Ariza as well as exploring offers for Kaman, according to sources. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Chris Kaman 

Although center Chris Kaman continues to draw the most trade interest among New Orleans Hornets players as the NBA trade deadline of 3 p.m. today approaches, sources confirmed Wednesday that the franchise is willing to part ways with any of their veterans if they can acquire additional first-round picks and expiring contracts in a deal. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Chris Kaman 

Going into today’s deadline, the Hornets have been trying to trade center Emeka Okafor, and they have listened to offers for starting small forward Trevor Ariza as well as exploring offers for Kaman, according to sources. But Ariza’s agent, David Lee, said by telephone Wednesday that he hasn’t heard of any trade scenarios involving his client. He said anything can happen between now and the trade deadline. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Chris Kaman