Okafor trade talk: Will he be traded by the deadline?

[FlightBrothers]

If Okafor's value gets you pretty much nothing in return, why wouldn't you look to move Noel (pending RFA) if the value was there?

I understand we all like Noel and his defensive impact. I like Noel and want him to remain a Sixer.....but if your sold on Joel Embiid being 1 of your franchise players, paying someone 20+ million a year to be a backup/insurance policy doesn't really project as a slam dunk move long term, both for the Sixers as a team and Noel as a player. I know we have deep pockets now, but you have to constantly think ahead.

I do not believe Embiid will consistently play more than 60 games in a season and I think having a high level backup such as Noel will maintain our defensive intensity through an entire season. I think his impact on defense and the fact that he is a low usage player on offense who doesn't need the ball is extremely valuable. Not to mention with my eye test the team is just better when Noel plays.

If you plan to lock up Embiid for a long time you will need to invest in a high level rim protecting backup for him as well IMO. I would resign Noel and try to trade Okafor AND Richaun Holmes.

And that is fine. Id 100% be on board with that logic and reasoning to keep Nerlens.

The underlying question still remains, is Noel on board with that plan? I know we can match ANY offer and pay him more than anybody....but is he going to be happy being a career back-up/spot starter? My gut tells me no.

He was openly disgruntled early on with this situation. He changed course and is now saying all the right things, but if internally we know he isn't going to be sipping this kool-aid long term.....moving him for value IF available would make sense.

I agree if he will not accept the role. This is just my opinion I don't think he would mind if the logjam was cleared up some and it was just Embiid and him at the spot. I think he can easily get 20-30 mins as a back to Embiid and hopefully playing a few minutes at PF with him in the future (small stretches). Not to mention those 20 or so games Embiid will miss each year where Noel can start and play 30+ possibly.

[51X3RF4N]

Here's a question: what if the Sixers found a shotblocking, rim protecting PF they could either trade for, or draft...who was almost like a 3 and D PF? Would you keep Okafor and bring him off the bench for Embiid next to the new PF?

Does Cameron Oliver from Nevada fit that bill? If you could draft him with a pick acquired in a Noel trade, does he fit next to Okafor? He can stretch the floor, and he can block shots and rebounds well.

So...if you trade Noel for a mid-late 1st in 2017, you've got Okafor/Oliver/Holmes coming off the bench behind Saric/Embiid. Oliver and Holmes would then be fighting for minutes at PF next to Okafor.

Would it work, or am I crazy?

[hookshot199]

If Okafor's value gets you pretty much nothing in return, why wouldn't you look to move Noel (pending RFA) if the value was there?

I understand we all like Noel and his defensive impact. I like Noel and want him to remain a Sixer.....but if your sold on Joel Embiid being 1 of your franchise players, paying someone 20+ million a year to be a backup/insurance policy doesn't really project as a slam dunk move long term, both for the Sixers as a team and Noel as a player. I know we have deep pockets now, but you have to constantly think ahead.

I do not believe Embiid will consistently play more than 60 games in a season and I think having a high level backup such as Noel will maintain our defensive intensity through an entire season. I think his impact on defense and the fact that he is a low usage player on offense who doesn't need the ball is extremely valuable. Not to mention with my eye test the team is just better when Noel plays.

If you plan to lock up Embiid for a long time you will need to invest in a high level rim protecting backup for him as well IMO. I would resign Noel and try to trade Okafor AND Richaun Holmes.

Because Embiid might be a 60-game/season player. His injury is a good reality check. We have two rim protectors, let's keep them both.

Read the whole post. There is more to keeping Noel then his skill set and fit as "insurance".

23 year old kids, who were high level prospects drafted in the top 10 and view themselves as "game changers" (Noel frequently uses that term himself) are not likely to be happy with taking a smaller, bench role.

Can't dispute the possibility. On the other hand, Brown's been getting better press than he deserves because we started winning some games. But apart from any Bryan C palace intrigues, Brown has made a difficult situation worse by his substitutions, his even more diarrhea of the mouth than Bryan, etc., etc.

It's quite likely that Embiid will be on 30 mpg minute restrictions throughout his career. So there's no reason - except a rigid coach - that you can't find a way both Noel and Embiid 30 mpg. Will never happen with Brown. He's got bricks between his ears.

[BullyKing]

Here's a question: what if the Sixers found a shotblocking, rim protecting PF they could either trade for, or draft...who was almost like a 3 and D PF? Would you keep Okafor and bring him off the bench for Embiid next to the new PF?

Does Cameron Oliver from Nevada fit that bill? If you could draft him with a pick acquired in a Noel trade, does he fit next to Okafor? He can stretch the floor, and he can block shots and rebounds well.

So...if you trade Noel for a mid-late 1st in 2017, you've got Okafor/Oliver/Holmes coming off the bench behind Saric/Embiid. Oliver and Holmes would then be fighting for minutes at PF next to Okafor.

Would it work, or am I crazy?

The problem with Okafor's defense isn't really rim protection. It's that he gets pick and rolled to death and sags off the ballhandler leaving wide open 5 foot gimmies.

[SparksFly87]

This team is far away from being a contender and us winning games is cute and all but we need to continue to build through the draft. I think our focus should be trading Noel and Ersan for some future flexibility or a high upside young players on there rookie deal to grow with Simmons and Embiid. Okafor being younger and having more years on his rookie deal should be a asset for our team. We can groom him into Embiids long term back center . Who will be much cheaper than Nerlens. We are not in a postion to be worried about fit right now. We need to get the best players we can get. Nerlens has the most value and we already have depth at center. Trade him and Tank . Embiid our star should be the first signed to a major deal on this team not Noel.

[hookshot199]

This team is far away from being a contender and us winning games is cute and all but we need to continue to build through the draft. I think our focus should be trading Noel and Ersan for some future flexibility or a high upside young players on there rookie deal to grow with Simmons and Embiid. Okafor being younger and having more years on his rookie deal should be a asset for our team. We can groom him into Embiids long term back center . Who will be much cheaper than Nerlens. We are not in a postion to be worried about fit right now. We need to get the best players we can get. Nerlens has the most value and we already have depth at center. Trade him and Tank . Embiid our star should be the first signed to a major deal on this team not Noel.

I'm on board with trading Ilyasova, but you'd better be confident that Embiid will play 70 games/year before dumping Noel. And contrary to what some people have insinuated, the cap is not a problem for three years of a four-year contract.

[LongLiveHinkie]

Read on Twitter

Yada yada yada... treating players like assets.

Hmmm... where have I heard this before

posting.php?mode=quote&f=26&p=52517116

[LANCEPIER]

One team that could be the perfect fit for Jah, even wondering why it's not done already is the Mavericks. Can't believe they wouldn't take the risk for a future 1st and a filler for him. What you guys think?

[SparksFly87]

This team is far away from being a contender and us winning games is cute and all but we need to continue to build through the draft. I think our focus should be trading Noel and Ersan for some future flexibility or a high upside young players on there rookie deal to grow with Simmons and Embiid. Okafor being younger and having more years on his rookie deal should be a asset for our team. We can groom him into Embiids long term back center . Who will be much cheaper than Nerlens. We are not in a postion to be worried about fit right now. We need to get the best players we can get. Nerlens has the most value and we already have depth at center. Trade him and Tank . Embiid our star should be the first signed to a major deal on this team not Noel.

I'm on board with trading Ilyasova, but you'd better be confident that Embiid will play 70 games/year before dumping Noel. And contrary to what some people have insinuated, the cap is not a problem for three years of a four-year contract.

If Embiid is your foundation you better have faith that he will deliver longterm or trade him and resign Noel. Babying Embiid is a waste of time if he isnt your GUY. Having Okafor under a controlled contract with Holmes still here is good depth while maintaining flexiblity. Development and longterm success should be our priority not fit.

[SparksFly87]

My gut feeling is any value Jah had . His play and rumor leaks from coaches and front office killed it. Move on.

[51X3RF4N]

Here's a question: what if the Sixers found a shotblocking, rim protecting PF they could either trade for, or draft...who was almost like a 3 and D PF? Would you keep Okafor and bring him off the bench for Embiid next to the new PF?

Does Cameron Oliver from Nevada fit that bill? If you could draft him with a pick acquired in a Noel trade, does he fit next to Okafor? He can stretch the floor, and he can block shots and rebounds well.

So...if you trade Noel for a mid-late 1st in 2017, you've got Okafor/Oliver/Holmes coming off the bench behind Saric/Embiid. Oliver and Holmes would then be fighting for minutes at PF next to Okafor.

Would it work, or am I crazy?

The problem with Okafor's defense isn't really rim protection. It's that he gets pick and rolled to death and sags off the ballhandler leaving wide open 5 foot gimmies.

Ok, well (and I'm not trying to start a heated debate here, I just have not had this discussion yet with anyone about Okafor)... is it your opinion that he cannot change his approach and become better conditioned, so as to offset other teams desire to put him in those situations defensively? Like, as far as I can tell from my playing experience, those spots are all about hustle. If he just tried a little more, he might be better at the defensive issues facing him, no? He's 21 and won't turn 22 until December. I would think there's still a chance he could turn things around on defense with more effort and better conditioning. We are basing our assumption that he CANNOT on the fact that he "hasn't yet", right? Or is it a general feeling that he "won't"?

I'm just trying to understand better the mind frame of those who might think he's worthless and will never improve. Because, in my opinion, if there's even a small chance that he can fix those issues and become more effective on the court defensively, then I would say keep him and give it until the end of his contract to develop him. Clearly the trade market sucks for him right now, so just hold onto him and see if you can't turn him into something more palatable on defense. If not, what did you really lose? A future protected 1st - maybe, if teams are still willing.

I don't want to be called a "prokafor" because that's not the truth at all. I simply am looking at it from a business perspective. If the asset isn't giving you any return right now other than a bag of peanuts, let's try to improve the asset first. What's it really costing us? Nothing. Make other moves instead to improve the team in the meanwhile.

[NBA Moses]

I think accepting a bad deal will get him worse criticism.

Most GM falls trap when they get pressured(see Hennigan or BC's last days as Raptors GM). And I hope BC don't mess up being Sixers GM.

If you think it's a bad deal, then don't do it just because you got to emotionally pressured.

Colangelo did absolutely nothing wrong here.

Hinkie left him 4 NBA Centers, 1 of them Okafor has immense potential but has not played up to expectations. Colangelo tried selling Okafors potential and no one bit. Instead of giving him away he pull him back hopefully it lights a fire under Okafor.

[Arsenal]

"This is the first time I've seen something like this in my years in the league," Nerlens Noel on Jahlil Okafor trade situation."

All 3 1/2 years?

This is the first time I've seen this in 30 years following the Sixers and the NBA. The organization looks totally incompetent, like they tried to pull a shady trick and it backfired in their face. Other front offices are going to distrust anything that comes out of Snake Jr.'s mouth from now on.

[NBA Moses]

This is the first time I've seen this in 30 years following the Sixers and the NBA. The organization looks totally incompetent, like they tried to pull a shady trick and it backfired in their face. Other front offices are going to distrust anything that comes out of Snake Jr.'s mouth from now on.

We have no idea what is going on behind the scenes. Maybe there was a deal involving Okafor that Colangelo considered close?

What is the big deal holding Okafor out a couple games?

How does it make Colangelo look incompetent?

What would have made Colangelo look incompetent is making a bad trade for Okafor.

[SparksFly87]

I think accepting a bad deal will get him worse criticism.

Most GM falls trap when they get pressured(see Hennigan or BC's last days as Raptors GM). And I hope BC don't mess up being Sixers GM.

If you think it's a bad deal, then don't do it just because you got to emotionally pressured.

Colangelo did absolutely nothing wrong here.

Hinkie left him 4 NBA Centers, 1 of them Okafor has immense potential but has not played up to expectations. Colangelo tried selling Okafors potential and no one bit. Instead of giving him away he pull him back hopefully it lights a fire under Okafor.

76ers thanks to Hinkie has the luxary of not selling Okafors potential low and developing him while being a back up to Embiid for the next 2 years . Also exploring big ball PF with work on his conditioning and elbow jumper. Win-Win. Noel is a piece that could fetch us some serious return in which could be benificial to center pieces Embiid and Simmons long term . Saric , Covington and Mcconnell already prove to be long term role playing keepers. We can always get a shotblocker like Noel that can dunk .. Dwayne Dedmons do exist...

[kriss73]

I predict Jah Will be traded between page 75 and page 83 of this thread.

taking the over

I think you're going to win by a large margin.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Be careful using a logical civil approach when discussing if Okafor can improve. You'll get called a Prokafor. Thing I'd I have never adhered to the idea that he's a lost cause. There is no reason to believe he can't get better and find a role in this league. I've always seen him as a sixth man in the mold of a Mo Speights but with a higher upside. That's just me, if we move Noel and try to continue developing Okafor into a super sub off the bench I'm fine with it. If we trade him, I'm fine with it. If Embiid I'd going to be constantly injured you may want to max out Noel instead. Problem is I see no way possible where Noel is going to be fine being a backup and part time starter for the prime of his career. He's too talented, and I just don't see him being on board with that. Maybe if he was thirty years old he would.

[eagereyez]

"Super sub" Okafor will be lucky if he develops into just a serviceable sub. The Al Jefferson comparison is too kind at this point. At least Jefferson is a good rebounder and can play some sort of defense. It's his second season and he's still bottom of his position in RPM. I don't understand how many more excuses are going to be made for him before we call a spade a spade. He's a bust. Sell on him now because his value is only going to plummet the worse he plays and the nearer we come to his contract extension. Dont want to accept a lotto protected first this year? That offer turns into two 2nds the year after, and one 2nd in his contract year (what Evan Turner fetched). The rumors went from an unprotected BKN 1st to Ajinca and a lotto protected 1st. He is a depreciating asset.

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[Arsenal]

This is the first time I've seen this in 30 years following the Sixers and the NBA. The organization looks totally incompetent, like they tried to pull a shady trick and it backfired in their face. Other front offices are going to distrust anything that comes out of Snake Jr.'s mouth from now on.

We have no idea what is going on behind the scenes. Maybe there was a deal involving Okafor that Colangelo considered close?

What is the big deal holding Okafor out a couple games?

How does it make Colangelo look incompetent?

What would have made Colangelo look incompetent is making a bad trade for Okafor.

They flat out said they held him out because of a pending trade. Which everyone can now see is a lie, because there was no trade and he's back with the team. If they were smart they would have said he was out with an injury or something else, but they flat out said he was held out because of a trade. That has never happened before that I can remember without the player actually getting traded.

No other front office will believe anything BC says anymore. He flat out lied and arranged a charade in order to try to drive up the price, and it backfired right in his face. It's bush league and makes the organization look like a clown show.

[Braggins]

How bad are you guys trying to get rid of Okafor? How would you guys feel about trading him and Sergio Rodriguez to Charlotte for Miles Plumlee's contract and a lotto protected 1st?