Does anyone else think the #3 for okafor is completely unrealistic?

[esel1000]

3 alone is not enough, but I think something like 3, 23, Rozier for Okafor makes a bit more sense or maybe 3, 16, Rozier for Okafor and 24.

3, 16 and Rozier for Okafor would make some sense.   They need a PG.  They could take a SG with #3.   With #16 they could continue to add depth.

Sixers could take Dunn with #3, it actually makes a ton of sense for them to make this trade

[chambers]

I doubt the 76ers do it unless they loooovee Bender or Dunn (or Hield).

Okafur is brilliant around the basket. He's young, and according to his college national championship coach, he's a hard working, great character/attitude guy. He didn't want to go to Philly and was severely disappointed at the time (dropping the jersey at the draft presser, not smiling etc).

With Brad Stevens teaching him defensive rotations and our ball movement, he could be a  dominant big man.

I would have zero problem with trading our #3 and Bradley for Okafur.

[dannyboy35]

The tough thing with okafor is we'd need a rim defender that can also shoot 3's. Who exists in the league like that?

[dannyboy35]

That is quick enough to guard 4's too.

[LarBrd33]

The tough thing with okafor is we'd need a rim defender that can also shoot 3's. Who exists in the league like that?

Yeah... you're describing why Karl Towns might eventually dominate the NBA.

I do think part of the reason a player like Okafor is so polarizing is because some people are buying in harder to the "New NBA" thing than others. 

Some people keep banging the "big men are dinosaurs!" drum suggesting that because of Golden State's success, small ball is the only way to go.  Obviously, you can't really base the entire league on Golden State's success.   And as we saw in Game 1 of the WCF where 6'10 Serge Ibaka, 7 foot Steven Adams and 6'11 Enes Kanter had their way with the smaller Warriors, there's still a possibility for a more conventional big man to have an impact in this league.   It's less so the league going small... more so a lack of dominant bigs. 

Okafor is the kind of guy that can tear up a defense.  Just watch this clip of him putting in work against Dallas (and a pretty good defender in Zaza Pachulia):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKnwVCBkeEg ... or watch him eat up the Celtics defense in his NBA debut before his spirit was broken by playing in Philly for a full year:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5HAT4rEmxY

He can do it in a number of ways.  And while parts of his game obviously need work, he's 20 freakin years old... he has time to work on them.   It would be interesting to see how he played on a real NBA team that was trying to win.  It was clear from the moment he was drafted that he was only in Philly to be an "asset"... and he seemed to wear that fact physically on him in every game he played.   It's important to remember he's just a year removed from contributing to a national champion and was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the world.  His stint in Philly was far from embarrassing.  Anthony Davis averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks as a rookie.   In a bubble, a 7 foot rookie putting up averages of 17.5 points, 7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks with 51% shooting is pretty darn encouraging.  He's got some baggage, but it's overblown.  The idea that the league is on the verge of having point guards play the center position is also overblown.

So you have people who want nothing to do with Okafor and think offering the #3 pick is a terrible idea.   You have people who are super high on this draft and legitimately think a guy like Dunn will be better than Okafor.  And then you have people like the Suns fans I mentioned earlier who would not only trade the #4 pick for Okafor, but also include a 24 year old PG (Brandon Knight) coming off a season averaging 20 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.2 steals. 

Here's hoping the actual Suns aren't as generous as those fans... because I'd be super excited for Ainge to land Okafor for just the #3 pick.

[alldaboston]

The tough thing with okafor is we'd need a rim defender that can also shoot 3's. Who exists in the league like that?

Yeah... you're describing why Karl Towns might eventually dominate the NBA.

I do think part of the reason a player like Okafor is so polarizing is because some people are buying in harder to the "New NBA" thing than others. 

Some people keep banging the "big men are dinosaurs!" drum suggesting that because of Golden State's success, small ball is the only way to go.  Obviously, you can't really base the entire league on Golden State's success.   And as we saw in Game 1 of the WCF where 6'10 Serge Ibaka, 7 foot Steven Adams and 6'11 Enes Kanter had their way with the smaller Warriors, there's still a possibility for a more conventional big man to have an impact in this league.   It's less so the league going small... more so a lack of dominant bigs. 

Okafor is the kind of guy that can tear up a defense.  Just watch this clip of him putting in work against Dallas (and a pretty good defender in Zaza Pachulia):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKnwVCBkeEg ... or watch him eat up the Celtics defense in his NBA debut before his spirit was broken by playing in Philly for a full year:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5HAT4rEmxY

He can do it in a number of ways.  And while parts of his game obviously need work, he's 20 freakin years old... he has time to work on them.   It would be interesting to see how he played on a real NBA team that was trying to win.  It was clear from the moment he was drafted that he was only in Philly to be an "asset"... and he seemed to wear that fact physically on him in every game he played.   It's important to remember he's just a year removed from contributing to a national champion and was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the world.  His stint in Philly was far from embarrassing.  Anthony Davis averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks as a rookie.   In a bubble, a 7 foot rookie putting up averages of 17.5 points, 7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks with 51% shooting is pretty darn encouraging.  He's got some baggage, but it's overblown.  The idea that the league is on the verge of having point guards play the center position is also overblown.

So you have people who want nothing to do with Okafor and think offering the #3 pick is a terrible idea.   You have people who are super high on this draft and legitimately think a guy like Dunn will be better than Okafor.  And then you have people like the Suns fans I mentioned earlier who would not only trade the #4 pick for Okafor, but also include a 24 year old PG (Brandon Knight) coming off a season averaging 20 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.2 steals. 

Here's hoping the actual Suns aren't as generous as those fans... because I'd be super excited for Ainge to land Okafor for just the #3 pick.

This is a good post. TP. It's true that, despite the league going to the small lineups, a powerful big could really be effective in the NBA. I really like okafor as an offensive player. That highlight video even has him making a J and some running shots, which I think can lead to him maybe developing a 15ft shot in the future. I just don't love his defense. But who knows? Maybe in a system where they want to win and where they value defense, he can become better at it.

[footey]

I read recently on a Sixer blog (forgot which one) that they wondered if the Celtics would still be willing to give up Nets pick for Okafor, now that it is 3.  This suggests that from a Sixer POV it is not ridiculous to make that trade. Curious what the other Sixer boards are speculating on this. LB33, you are on top of this, let us know what you think current Sixer fan POV on this issue is.

[alldaboston]

https://youtu.be/ugCbmikA_hE

The defensive concerns are real in my opinion. It is a year old, but he still has many of the same struggles.

[moiso]

3 alone is not enough, but I think something like 3, 23, Rozier for Okafor makes a bit more sense or maybe 3, 16, Rozier for Okafor and 24.

3, 16 and Rozier for Okafor would make some sense.   They need a PG.  They could take a SG with #3.   With #16 they could continue to add depth.

Sixers could take Dunn with #3, it actually makes a ton of sense for them to make this trade

It does make a lot of sense for them but I wonder if Colangelo will be looking for an established NBA player rather than making what would be looked at as another Hinkie style move.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I read recently on a Sixer blog (forgot which one) that they wondered if the Celtics would still be willing to give up Nets pick for Okafor, now that it is 3.  This suggests that from a Sixer POV it is not ridiculous to make that trade. Curious what the other Sixer boards are speculating on this. LB33, you are on top of this, let us know what you think current Sixer fan POV on this issue is.

I see that POV and see another one, if they have to ask whether we would still do it I can take that as they wouldn't or would hesitate on doing if it was their pick and we had Okafor.

[LarBrd33]

I read recently on a Sixer blog (forgot which one) that they wondered if the Celtics would still be willing to give up Nets pick for Okafor, now that it is 3.  This suggests that from a Sixer POV it is not ridiculous to make that trade. Curious what the other Sixer boards are speculating on this. LB33, you are on top of this, let us know what you think current Sixer fan POV on this issue is.

Well based on the RealGM poll, 58% were against trading Okafor for the #3 pick with the majority saying "hell no".  Some think the #3 pick isn't "remotely close" to last year.  Others said they'd be open to it if Boston included the future Brooklyn picks.  Some were in favor of it.  It was pretty close.  I think those fans are all over the place, though.  Some have given up on Embiid.  Some want to build around Okafor.  Some want to build around Noel at Center.  Some still think Embiid will be a franchise superstar.  Some want to trade everyone.  Some want to just throw all the big men in a giant thunderdome and only let the strongest remain. 

Philly fan opinion:  http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=1446059

Who knows what Philly will do.  Both that team and Boston are pretty unpredictable.  Anything can happen.  I wouldn't be stunned to see Philly trade Okafor in a package for an established talent like Jimmy Butler.  I wouldn't be stunned to see them trade him for a package built around the #3 pick.   

I would be a little surprised if they kept him, though.  I guess it just depends on Embiid still.

[Kane3387]

Not at all

[PaulP34]

The tough thing with okafor is we'd need a rim defender that can also shoot 3's. Who exists in the league like that?

Yeah... you're describing why Karl Towns might eventually dominate the NBA.

I do think part of the reason a player like Okafor is so polarizing is because some people are buying in harder to the "New NBA" thing than others. 

Some people keep banging the "big men are dinosaurs!" drum suggesting that because of Golden State's success, small ball is the only way to go.  Obviously, you can't really base the entire league on Golden State's success.   And as we saw in Game 1 of the WCF where 6'10 Serge Ibaka, 7 foot Steven Adams and 6'11 Enes Kanter had their way with the smaller Warriors, there's still a possibility for a more conventional big man to have an impact in this league.   It's less so the league going small... more so a lack of dominant bigs. 

Okafor is the kind of guy that can tear up a defense.  Just watch this clip of him putting in work against Dallas (and a pretty good defender in Zaza Pachulia):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKnwVCBkeEg ... or watch him eat up the Celtics defense in his NBA debut before his spirit was broken by playing in Philly for a full year:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5HAT4rEmxY

He can do it in a number of ways.  And while parts of his game obviously need work, he's 20 freakin years old... he has time to work on them.   It would be interesting to see how he played on a real NBA team that was trying to win.  It was clear from the moment he was drafted that he was only in Philly to be an "asset"... and he seemed to wear that fact physically on him in every game he played.   It's important to remember he's just a year removed from contributing to a national champion and was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the world.  His stint in Philly was far from embarrassing.  Anthony Davis averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks as a rookie.   In a bubble, a 7 foot rookie putting up averages of 17.5 points, 7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks with 51% shooting is pretty darn encouraging.  He's got some baggage, but it's overblown.  The idea that the league is on the verge of having point guards play the center position is also overblown.

So you have people who want nothing to do with Okafor and think offering the #3 pick is a terrible idea.   You have people who are super high on this draft and legitimately think a guy like Dunn will be better than Okafor.  And then you have people like the Suns fans I mentioned earlier who would not only trade the #4 pick for Okafor, but also include a 24 year old PG (Brandon Knight) coming off a season averaging 20 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.2 steals. 

Here's hoping the actual Suns aren't as generous as those fans... because I'd be super excited for Ainge to land Okafor for just the #3 pick.

TP 👍

[guava_wrench]

I even hear radio and tv guys talking about this possibility. It just sounds crazy for Philly. They will get way better offers.

Straight up? Probably unrealistic.

Okafor was a #3 who has shown himself to be a legitimate NBA player. Who would the Sixers be able to get at #3 that would have more value than that?

[LarBrd33]

I even hear radio and tv guys talking about this possibility. It just sounds crazy for Philly. They will get way better offers.

Straight up? Probably unrealistic.

Okafor was a #3 who has shown himself to be a legitimate NBA player. Who would the Sixers be able to get at #3 that would have more value than that?

Yeah I mean... if the Celtics keep the pick and select a guard, there's a decent chance the kid spends a lot of time in D-League given that we're already pretty good on guards.   So then the question is... can the guy put up better stats in D-League than Okafor put up for the 76ers last season?  17.5 points, 7 rebounds, 1.5 blocks with 51% shooting is nothing to sneeze at.