Already in possession of the top overall pick in next month’s NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers are going to have their pick of the litter as it relates to one of the most talent-laden classes in recent Association history.
Also boasting three more picks in the top 39, including two other first rounders, Philadelphia could make a huge splash when commissioner Adam Silver takes the podium in Brooklyn this summer.
One of those splashes could be the trade of last year’s third overall pick Jahlil Okafor.
NBA.com’s David Aldridge is reporting that new Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo could be looking to add yet another top pick to the team’s arsenal by dangling Okafor as bait.
“The Sixers already have Okafor at the four, and possibly Saric next year. Taking (Ben) Simmons wouldn’t make sense unless they were determined to trade Okafor, whose up and down rookie season hasn’t adversely affected his value around the league,” the veteran scribe reported. “And trading Okafor would be the easiest and best way for Philly to get another high first-round pick, which the Sixers covet.”
There’s a lot to look at here. First off, Aldridge seemed to suggest that there’s more support for fellow lottery pick Nerlens Noel within the Sixers organization than there is for Okafor.
Secondly, Philadelphia has European star Dario Saric set to join the team next year. The 21-year-old Saric, a lottery pick of the Orlando Magic back in 2014, was traded to Philadelphia during that year’s draft. He’s considered the best European prospect out there right now. He also plays power forward.
With Simmons set to play power forward at the next level, it wouldn’t make much sense for Philadelphia to select him No. 1 if Okafor, Noel and Saric were on the team’s roster.
Instead, the working philosophy here has to be that the team will look to move one of the three. With Noel’s ability to play the center position and Joel Embiid’s checkered injury history, Philadelphia can’t risk losing him in a trade.
This would leave Okafor as the likeliest option to be dealt during the draft.
The former Duke standout had an up and down rookie season, averaging 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in 53 games before being sidelined late in the year with a torn meniscus in his knee.
Seen as one of the most-talented young big men in the game, Okafor could net a nice return for Philadelphia. Would the Boston Celtics be willing to move the third overall pick (acquired from Brooklyn) for Okafor?
If not, what about the Phoenix Suns at four or Minnesota Timberwolves rounding out the top five?
These are internal discussions all teams selecting in the top five are going to have, primarily Minnesota. The idea of teaming Okafor up with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins has to be seen as a darn good option for the downtrodden franchise.
If Philadelphia were to place Okafor squarely on the trade block, it will be rather interesting to see what happens between now and the start of the draft in less than a month.