HoopsHype.com Rumors

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 

In a scenario that has been oddly reminiscent of the cloak of secrecy that surrounded the knee injury to shooting guard Eric Gordon, injured Hornets center Emeka Okafor was said to be undergoing additional tests on his sore left knee, according to Coach Monty Williams. The Hornets have not revealed the nature or extent of Okafor's injury, other than to describe it as "a sore left knee." He was not at the team's shootaround when the media was allowed access Monday morning, but he was on the bench Monday night. Okafor shed little light on the injury after a 73-71 loss to his old team, the Charlotte Bobcats. "I've just got to take a little more time," said Okafor, who has missed 15 games in a row. Asked specifically what the diagnosis was, Okafor said, "It's going to take time. It's a sore knee, has a little swelling. It's going to take more time. I'd rather not get into specifics about what happened." New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Emeka Okafor, Injuries 

While the team is continuing to be vague about the nature and extent of his injury, Hornets Coach Monty Williams said Monday that center Emeka Okafor was having further tests done on the knee and seeking opinions from other physicians. Okafor has missed the last 14 games with the issue, which has never been described as anything other than a sore knee. Okafor was not present at the team's shootaround Monday at New Orleans Arena in advance of tonight's game against Okafor's old team, the Charlotte Bobcats. Williams said Okafor has had his knee drained at least once in the last several weeks. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Emeka Okafor, Injuries 

Though the Pacers, Celtics and Heat are among the teams registering interest in Chris Kaman, the Hornets also have explored moving Emeka Okafor, who is owed $28 million over the next two seasons. CBSSports.com

New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Emeka Okafor 

New Orleans center Emeka Okafor could be out for an extended period. Okafor sat out his second straight game Wednesday and did not accompany the team for the start of its six-game road trip. Hornets coach Monty Williams would not offer a timetable on how long Okafor will be sidelined. “It’s one of those weird deals,” Williams said. “I’m not going to get too detailed about that. It is what it is.” HoopsWorld

New Orleans Hornets, Emeka Okafor, Injuries 

John Reid: Hornets center Emeka Okafor questionable tonight against Jazz with sore left knee Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Emeka Okafor, Injuries 

Steve Kyler: Expect Lakers Devin Ebank and Derrick Caracter to be packed into Paul deal with Emeka Okafor heading to the Lakers. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Emeka Okafor, Derrick Caracter 

David Brickley: I'm hearing reports that Lakers may get Okafor or Ariza. More info will come out def. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza 

Jimmy Smith: #Hornets Jarrett Jack and Emeka Okafor will not be at workout today. Jack arrives this PM and Okafor out of country. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Emeka Okafor, Jarrett Jack 

Huskies coach Jim Calhoun, coming off his third NCAA championship since 1999, compares Drummond to former UConn star Emeka Okafor. “Right now he’s a tremendous, tremendous athlete who’s working every day to become a tremendous, tremendous player,” Calhoun said. Konchalski compared Drummond to a young Shawn Kemp. “He runs the floor as well as any 6-10 you’ll find on any level,” he said. “He has terrific athletic ability.” SheridanHoops

Draft, Emeka Okafor, Shawn Kemp, Andre Drummond 

The foul Kobe Bryant committed against New Orleans center Emeka Okafor in Game 5 was upgraded to a flagrant one. Bryant snacked Okafor across the face and neck with 3:14 left in the game Tuesday night at Staples Center but was called for just a foul on the play. But after the NBA reviewed the play, Bryant had his foul upgraded. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Kobe Bryant, Emeka Okafor 

Hornets coach Monty Williams says he put in calls to NBA headquarters to ask why game officials were allowing Lakers’ big men to stand in the paint under the New Orleans basket for more than 3 seconds and aggressively bump defenders out of the way. Williams says he has spoken to NBA Vice President Stu Jackson in particular about the way Los Angeles center Andrew Bynum slammed his shoulder into Emeka Okafor’s chest to gain position for easy dunks in Game 3. Williams says league officials were “gracious” and agreed with some of his criticism. Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Andrew Bynum, Emeka Okafor, Monty Williams 

If an essential part of the job is keeping Paul happy, Demps doesn't see that as his only task. "Chris is an important part of the organization -- a very important part -- but we are doing this for everybody, not just Chris," Demps said. "I feel the same sentiment to the fans, to David West, Emeka Okafor, to everybody. We want to put together a team that can compete with the best." ESPN.com

New Orleans Hornets, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Emeka Okafor, David West 

Emeka Okafor is one those key cogs that has yet to appear in a single playoff game. It's clear achieving a postseason berth is a huge goal for the 28 year old starting center – if not an obsession. "I want to make it so bad," Okafor told HOOPSWORLD with passion on his desire to play in the postseason. "It's right there and I haven't made it man. Since I've been in the NBA, the playoffs are like a fairytale to me." HoopsWorld

New Orleans Hornets, Emeka Okafor 

The fact the Bobcats were so active at this year's trade deadline, dealing long time players Gerald Wallace and Nazr Mohammed, didn't come as much of a surprise to Okafor. The moves essentially ushered in a presumably long term rebuilding period for the franchise which Okafor was expecting to occur eventually. "With a new organization you know there's going to be turnover," Okafor told HOOPSWORLD about the situation in Charlotte. "You know things are going to change and you know it's just a matter of how they change. Even from the five years that I was there every year things changed little by little by little." "Now I don't think there's anyone that's originally there anymore," Okafor continued. "All the players are gone, coaches are gone and a lot of the front office. Everything has changed. " HoopsWorld

New Orleans Hornets, Emeka Okafor 

Hornets center Emeka Okafor suffered a grade two left rectus oblique strain an MRI revealed. Because of it, he's expected to be out one-to- three weeks. And don't ask me what a "left rectus" is because I don't really want to know. Okafor is one of the league's iron men having played in 306 consecutive games. Obviously that will come to an end now. For the Hornets, this definitely hurts them for the time being because they don't have much depth behind Okafor. They have D.J. Mbenga, Jason Smith and David Anderson as options. Not exactly players you get all that excited about to replace one of your best interior options. CBSSports.com

New Orleans Hornets, Emeka Okafor, Injuries 

New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor has been ruled out of Tuesday night's game against the Washington Wizards with a left oblique strain. Okafor's absence brings his consecutive game streak - currently the fourth longest in the NBA - to an end at 306. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Emeka Okafor, Injuries 

Charlotte Bobcats forward Tyrus Thomas has been suspended by the NBA for today's game in Philadelphia, in response to the elbow Thomas threw at New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor Saturday. Charlotte Observer

New Orleans Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Emeka Okafor, Tyrus Thomas 

Thomas caught New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor in the face with an elbow late in Saturday’s loss. He was assessed a flagrant foul, penalty two (the harsher penalty) and was ejected from the game. “It’s unfortunate he’s not going to be here, but he has to learn from it,’’ said Silas, who lost his top reserve. “If he does that, then it’s all worthwhile.’’ Charlotte Observer

New Orleans Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Emeka Okafor, Tyrus Thomas 

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili came off the court in the third quarter of Sunday’s 109-84 victory over New Orleans rubbing his neck after a collision with Emeka Okafor. “I thought I got run over by a train,” Ginobili said. “Okafor was coming from the weak side, and got me in the back. He probably didn’t see me in there. It was hard, but I think I’ll be fine.” San Antonio Express-News

New Orleans Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, Manu Ginobili, Emeka Okafor