The Unending Sixers Thread

[bigegypt0417]

Celtics are talking about Avery Bradley + the third pick for Okafor, which seems about right.

While you can't compare Okafor and Dunn directly, you can compare their values and their likelihood of NBA success. Okafor has already proven he's not a bust, and his shooting got markedly better in his rookie season, especially from the foul line. Dunn still has bust potential, and has not shown that he'll work hard enough as a pro to get better. IMHO Okafor is worth lots more than Dunn.

The one thing I've read about dunn is he has a pretty high floor and although he needs work on his shot, his size and ball handling skills are his assets. I really do like Okafor but if he can help solidify our back court I think it should at least be looked at.

Bradley and a 3 for Okafor seems to be a very nice package.

[Squire]

I think I'd much rather cut a deal with the Phoenix Suns regarding Okafor than the Celtics.

[bigegypt0417]

I think I'd much rather cut a deal with the Phoenix Suns regarding Okafor than the Celtics.

What would you be looking for from the suns?

[phillychuck]

Stepping in, speaking for myself rather than Squire...

Suns have also been rumored to have interest...I'd love for them to offer Booker, but I don't think that's realistic. Maybe Okafor + Lakers pick (maybe replaced by our pick if the Lakers pick is better in the year it conveys than ours is) for Booker + suns 2017 pick...

[Squire]

I think I'd much rather cut a deal with the Phoenix Suns regarding Okafor than the Celtics.

What would you be looking for from the suns?

Bledsoe or Knight to be our point guard. But in all fairness I don't have a good handle on value. I don't think we could get one of those guys PLUS the #4 pick for Okafor. Maybe Bledsoe +#13 for Okafor and #26.

[bigegypt0417]

Stepping in, speaking for myself rather than Squire...

Suns have also been rumored to have interest...I'd love for them to offer Booker, but I don't think that's realistic. Maybe Okafor + Lakers pick (maybe replaced by our pick if the Lakers pick is better in the year it conveys than ours is) for Booker + suns 2017 pick...

I think I would be able to live with that as well...

[Lawman]

So the Celtics want to trade out of the 3rd pick in the draft. If you're the Sixers do you swap Okafor for that pick and draft Kris Dunn?

Would you trade Okafor not knowing if Embiid is really healthy?

[bigegypt0417]

So the Celtics want to trade out of the 3rd pick in the draft. If you're the Sixers do you swap Okafor for that pick and draft Kris Dunn?

Would you trade Okafor not knowing if Embiid is really healthy?

If you are getting the right package back, I think I would. I don't really think the fate of Okafor is tied to Embiid.

[phillychuck]

I'm a pretty enthusiastic Okafor supporter, but I would trade him for the right package. We have an abundance of 4's and 5's and few effective perimeter players. I'd be intrigued by either Booker or Bledsoe+ from the suns, and by Bradley plus the 3rd pick from the Celtics. I might move him in either of those cases, but I'd be worried he might be really good...

[rkeden]

PC- I agree with you. Go slow and get it right with Okafor. He IS going to be very good. His footwork on offense is outstanding and he has an instinct for keeping his defender off balance and just far enough away to enable a clear shot. Granted, defense is another story but he is still a kid. He is smart enough to learn under the right instructors. I have no problem trading him for the right reason but what we don't know now about our excess of "bigs" is greater than what we do! How will Simmons perform moving up to the NBA? Is Saric a this year or next year addition? Can he play in the NBA? Is Joel back for real? Can we keep Noel injury-free with such a thin frame?

If it were me, I would sit tight until a few of those questions are answered. At this point in the "process", what is our rush?

[bkeich]

I'm a pretty enthusiastic Okafor supporter, but I would trade him for the right package. We have an abundance of 4's and 5's and few effective perimeter players. I'd be intrigued by either Booker or Bledsoe+ from the suns, and by Bradley plus the 3rd pick from the Celtics. I might move him in either of those cases, but I'd be worried he might be really good...

I would rather trade Noel as he only has one year left of control.

Noel, 24th and 26th pick and other lower assets get it done if they can get Noel to sign an extension as part of the deal? If not maybe add in a "right to switch picks" for next season (top 5 protected)?

[bigegypt0417]

I'm a pretty enthusiastic Okafor supporter, but I would trade him for the right package. We have an abundance of 4's and 5's and few effective perimeter players. I'd be intrigued by either Booker or Bledsoe+ from the suns, and by Bradley plus the 3rd pick from the Celtics. I might move him in either of those cases, but I'd be worried he might be really good...

I would rather trade Noel as he only has one year left of control.

Noel, 24th and 26th pick and other lower assets get it done if they can get Noel to sign an extension as part of the deal? If not maybe add in a "right to switch picks" for next season (top 5 protected)?

If the Celtics want Okafor, they aren't going to settle for Noel.

Every team in the playoffs can use a player like Noel. He is one player I want to hold on to.

[nycphils]

Noel, Simmons, Embiid, Saric plus #3 from the Celts for Okafor and whatever they get with #24 and #26 and the Lakers pick next year plus the Sac pick swap is...really something. Great defense and versatility - add some shooters and that could be a powerhouse.

I just don't think Okafor as a ball stopping 5 is critical to the future.

[scorcher]

Let the Celtics pay through the nose for Okafor. If they want him make the Celtics substantially over pay for him. If they don't pony up for Okafor then keep him. I rather the Sixers trade Noel.

[jimbomill]

So the Celtics want to trade out of the 3rd pick in the draft. If you're the Sixers do you swap Okafor for that pick and draft Kris Dunn?

Would you trade Okafor not knowing if Embiid is really healthy?

Embiid is unproven. He needs to not only become available, but has to show extended availability. I liked what I saw out of Okafor. Objectively, Embiid has not one minute of NBA season-game boxscore time.

There is too much risk in trading Okafor, especially in a "two-player" draft.

[Austinfan]

Okafor's future is as a PF who can backup at center, not as a true "5".
I suspect he'll continue to reshape his body this summer and work on his outside shot.
So trading him now creates a big risk of selling low, put it this way, any offer predicated merely on his rookie year performance that doesn't include a premium for his upside should be rejected out of hand.

[zambonir]

All the talk about (and optimism for) Embiid still makes me nervous, in a Oden/Andrew Bynum kind of way. Every player is different of course but it's not like he hasn't already had a setback.

[Joe_Cowley]

Okafor's future is as a PF who can backup at center, not as a true "5".
I suspect he'll continue to reshape his body this summer and work on his outside shot.
So trading him now creates a big risk of selling low, put it this way, any offer predicated merely on his rookie year performance that doesn't include a premium for his upside should be rejected out of hand.

I like Okafor, but do think there is a 'fit' problem with what we have and would like to build a strong defensive quad. I would consider dealing him to Boston for the #3 pick and two of their 2nd rounders (including pick #31). I would then look for opportunities for deals including picks #3 (if someone 4-6 wanted to move up), p
icks 24 and 26, players like Grant and Richaun Holmes, and possibly the Lakers 2017 pick.

While the exact mix could be different, our team could look something like thus going into the season:

PG: Ish, McConnell, Gary Payton II (2nd rd.)
SG: Hield, Stauskas, H. Thompson
SF: Simmons, Covington, Grant
PF: Embiid (PF/C), Saric, Holmes
C: Noel, Damian Jones (#26)

International: Timothy Luwawu SF (#24 pick), (another 2nd rd. Draft and stash)

Next year we will likely have 2 top 15 picks, so the long term PG situation could be addressed then.

[jimbomill]

Okafor's future is as a PF who can backup at center, not as a true "5".
I suspect he'll continue to reshape his body this summer and work on his outside shot.
So trading him now creates a big risk of selling low, put it this way, any offer predicated merely on his rookie year performance that doesn't include a premium for his upside should be rejected out of hand.

I like Okafor, but do think there is a 'fit' problem with what we have and would like to build a strong defensive quad. I would consider dealing him to Boston for the #3 pick and two of their 2nd rounders (including pick #31). I would then look for opportunities for deals including picks #3 (if someone 4-6 wanted to move up), p
icks 24 and 26, players like Grant and Richaun Holmes, and possibly the Lakers 2017 pick.

While the exact mix could be different, our team could look something like thus going into the season:

PG: Ish, McConnell, Gary Payton II (2nd rd.)
SG: Hield, Stauskas, H. Thompson
SF: Simmons, Covington, Grant
PF: Embiid (PF/C), Saric, Holmes
C: Noel, Damian Jones (#26)

International: Timothy Luwawu SF (#24 pick), (another 2nd rd. Draft and stash)

Next year we will likely have 2 top 15 picks, so the long term PG situation could be addressed then.

Sure about that 2nd rounder?
Round 2

1. Boston Celtics (via 76ers/Heat)

2. Los Angeles Lakers

3. Los Angeles Clippers (via Nets)

4. Phoenix Suns

5. Boston Celtics (via Timberwolves/Suns)

6. Milwaukee Bucks (via Pelicans/Kings)

7. Houston Rockets (via Knicks/Kings/Blazers)

8. Milwaukee Bucks

9. New Orleans Pelicans (via Nuggets/76ers)

10. New Orleans Pelicans (via Kings)

11. Orlando Magic

12. Utah Jazz

13. Houston Rockets

14. Atlanta Hawks (via Wizards)

15. Boston Celtics (via Grizzlies)

16. Dallas Mavericks

17. Orlando Magic (via Bulls)

18. Chicago Bulls (via Blazers/Cavaliers)

19. Detroit Pistons

20. Indiana Pacers

21. Boston Celtics (via Heat)

22. Utah Jazz (via Celtics/Grizzlies)

23. Denver Nuggets (via Hornets/Thunder)

24. Atlanta Hawks

25. Brooklyn Nets (via Clippers)

26. Denver Nuggets (via Thunder)

27. Memphis Grizzlies (via Raptors)

28. Boston Celtics (via Cavaliers)

29. Sacramento Kings (via Spurs)

30. Utah Jazz (via Warriors)

[bigegypt0417]

Okafor's future is as a PF who can backup at center, not as a true "5".
I suspect he'll continue to reshape his body this summer and work on his outside shot.
So trading him now creates a big risk of selling low, put it this way, any offer predicated merely on his rookie year performance that doesn't include a premium for his upside should be rejected out of hand.

How would trading him now be selling low?

What was so terrible about his rookie year? He seemed to show the flaws that you were pointing out pre-draft?