Okafor was obviously Danny's target. Is what it is. We had every reason to try trading for him. He was obviously available. Can't blame philly for backing out.
This doesn't fit with the conversations with Danny.
1) Comment about the trade being for a star - Okafor isn't a star. He's a prospect with a very bright future, but definitely not a star.
2) The comment about the trade being a big risk for both teams - doesn't really make much sense to me if it's Okafor. The guy isn't really injury prone, he's on a cheapish rookie contract, he's already putting up some numbers. Every trade involves some risk, but I wouldn't say that this is a major risk for either team.
3) The comment about the team deciding to 'stick it out this year and see how they go, then revisit it later'. That makes zero sense if it's the Sixers. They are the worst team in the entire NBA. They have no hope of making a run this year and even sniffing the playoffs. It just doesn't fit. You could argue they want to wait to see how things go with Embiid's health by the time the offseason comes...or wait to see where the Brooklyn pick lands. But even then it doesn't really fit what was said, which seems to suggest that they wanted to wait and see how the team can do. We all know how the Sixers are going to finish the season, so there is zero suspense there.
For that reason, Okafor just doesn't seem to make nay logical sense to me, based on the conversations reported. Not unless you specifically twist it around.
#1 - Contrary to how it was reported, Danny never actually called the target a star. He said the team was very close to adding a high-quality player. Despite the naysayers, Okafor is 20 years old and putting up outstanding stats for a rookie. His touch around the rim is phenomenal. He's averaging 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks with 50% shooting in 30mpg. He's basically a lock for him to be a 20 and 10 player. His floor is Brook Lopez/Al Jefferson. He also fills an obvious need for this team - SIZE. He's a high quality player and someone who has tangible superstar potential... that's an obvious target for Boston. If they can buy low on a guy with superstar potential, it's better than keeping a pick that is unlikely to end up in the top 2 (very unlikely to be a player of the caliber of Okafor).
#2 - Obvious risk for Philly. Trading away Okafor a pick that might end up being outside the top 5?... HUGE risk. Borderline insane risk. They can get much more for him from a different team this summer. Selling low on a prospect like Okafor is foolish. It shouldn't be surprise that Philly backed out. As for Boston, I'd say that giving up the brooklyn 1st for Okafor is a complete no-brainer. Ainge isn't going to say that, though. If he has any hope of landing Okafor later, he can't admit that our position in the trade was a "no brainer". He has to say "hey we are taking a risk on a guy with attitude problems and a game that doesn't fit the modern NBA. He could destroy our chemistry! We're 3rd in the East! That pick is probably going to be Ben Simmons... the next phenom! HUGE risk for Boston. HUUUGE!!!"... ALso, we don't know what else Boston was giving up in the deal. If it involved giving up the Brooklyn pick + Smart or Bradley, that's a considerable gamble by Boston.
#3 - It AbSOLUTELY fits. Seriously? It's foolish for Philly to trade Okafor right now. They would have been stupid to do that. If they wait until the summer they can see if Embiid is healthy,they can see where various teams land in the lotto, they can see who becomes available, etc. Also, despite the assertions from the casuals here, the reality is that barring injury there's no way no way Okafor or Noel's trade value goes any lower than it is right now. Okafor put up 33 points last night. Noel is continuing to improve. Those two are still finding their way in this league. It's clear they can't coexist, but teams around the league aren't braindead... they know what kind of potential both of those guys have. There will still be tons of offers this summer. You never know who will make an offer. Perhaps Portland will offer up CJ McCollum for their least favorite big. Perhaps the Bucks will offer up Jabari Parker. Maybe the Magic will offer up a package built around Aaron Gordon and Mario Hezonja. Maybe the Lakers will decide to give up D'Angelo Russell. Trading Okafor for that Brooklyn pick would have been dumb. Bottom line. Trading Okafor for that Brooklyn pick + Smart or Bradley?... intriguing, but still probably better to wait until the Summer.
I also want to point out some additional things here.
Ainge isn't an idiot. Ainge knows what Okafor can bring to the table. He knows that kid has incredible potential. Maybe he has defensive limitations, but most 20 year old rookies do. His talent is undeniable. Here's some random thoughts to take into consideration when talking about Okafor to Boston.
- His limitations now are the same limitations we were aware of prior to him being drafted. He's the player as advertised. Uncanny offensive ability. Low post beast. Real size. Defensive struggles. That's why he went 3rd instead of 1st.
- His rookie season is supremely underrated. That kid can ball. It's being overshadowed by Karl Towns. Porzingus gets a lot of deserved press as well, but that's partially a result of him playing on the Knicks... he's a tiny bit overrated.
- There were reports prior to the draft that the Celtics were willing to offer Philly a godfather offer if Okafor fell to them. Okafor has been a target for a while. Conflicting reports on what we actually offered (there was a rumored offer of Smart and #16 for #3 and Noel that was later called a joke rumor by Bill Simmons).
Okafor's attitude: I want to comment on this. Let's think about Okafor's perspective here.
#1 - He's been a winner at every level. He won a NCAA TItle as a Freshman. If Losing isn't taking a toll on him, that's not the kind of player we should want.
#2 - Okafor knows Philly didn't want him. Philly was desperate to get D'Angelo Russell. Okafor was supposed to end up on the Lakers, but Los Angeles got cute. Some suggest the Lakers were trying to force Philly into paying extra for Russell. Nonetheless, Okafor ends up in probably the worst possible situation. The team has zero intention of winning this year. The team already has a cornerstone quality big in Noel and a player frequently referred to as the franchise player (Embiid) at his position. It had to be clear to him from day 1 that he was there, because he was the best player available... not because Philly intends to build around him.
#3 - Building on above, Okafor knows his role in Philly is "asset". From day 1, it has to be clear to him that it's unlikely they keep him. How can he get emotionally invested when he knows he's a sitting duck? If Healthy, that's Embiid's team. Noel is the guy who fits their system now. Okafor is a trade chip. He's a 20 year old trying to adjust to this league and he's playing on a team that very likely isn't keeping him... while suffering through loss after loss after loss. That's got to suck.
#4 - I want to remind everyone that Larry 'freakin Bird deformed his finger in bar fight in the
middle of the playoffs. His shooting percentage suffered and it likely cost us a championship that year. Do you really think Ainge is above taking a risk on a wildly talent 20 year old kid who drunkenly shoved someone on camera and got caught speeding?
I fully believe the report that Okafor was the target. Makes complete sense. My only hope is that the Brooklyn pick stays valuable enough that we are in position to snag one of those Philly bigs this Summer. I'd be happy with any one of them. They clearly have to trade 1 (or 2) and I can't see them waiting much longer.
The offer was for Okafor. Come to terms with it.
Topic: Danny Ainge on Toucher and Rich (Potential "Big Trade" Discussed) (Read 41237 times)