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

[hpantazo]

You guys are funny. Okafor put up decent numbers on a historically awful team that had nobody else who could score. He also played poor defense, got in trouble off the court repeatedly, and had an overall poor attitude. He was not in the running for rookie of the year in his own draft class.

On top of it, the Sixers have Noel, Embiid, Okafor, and Saric all playing next season. All big men. They are starting for a PG. Are we supposed to seriously think they wouldn't jump at the chance to trade Okafor for #3 and draft Dunn? They would LOVE to do so. I can see the Celtics doing much better with the #3 pick though. I would be honestly disappointed if we trade it for Okafor. He doesnt fit our team or the modern NBA game, and doesnt provide a defensive presence inside either.

[LarBrd33]

You guys are funny. Okafor put up decent numbers on a historically awful team that had nobody else who could score. He also played poor defense, got in trouble off the court repeatedly, and had an overall poor attitude. He was not in the running for rookie of the year in his own draft class.

On top of it, the Sixers have Noel, Embiid, Okafor, and Saric all playing next season. All big men. They are starting for a PG. Are we supposed to seriously think they wouldn't jump at the chance to trade Okafor for #3 and draft Dunn? They would LOVE to do so. I can see the Celtics doing much better with the #3 pick though. I would be honestly disappointed if we trade it for Okafor. He doesnt fit our team or the modern NBA game, and doesnt provide a defensive presence inside either.

Okafor still looks like a future all-star to me.  He certainly put up rookie numbers reflecting a player who will develop into an all-star.   Is Dunn a future all-star?  I'm asking this legitimately as someone who doesn't follow College ball.  Does Dunn have any hope of developing into an all-star?  Because I see that at Okafor's age, Dunn was averaging 3.8 points, 5 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 steals with 31% shooting on the College level.  Is that more impressive than Okafor putting up per-36 numbers of  21 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks with 51% shooting as a 20 year old rookie on the NBA level? 

Worst-case scenario, Okafor is Al Jefferson.  What's Dunn's worst-case scenario?

Thing is, there's a chance a month from now we'll have more insight into this draft and realize there's a Porzingus type rising up unexpectedly.  That's possible.  You might even see SImmons or Ingram fall out of the Top 2 (as did with Okafor last season).   So maybe there's a future star that will be available.  Maybe that's 22 year old Kris Dunn.

But there's also a chance Okafor will be better than every single player in this draft.  And he's already shown rare NBA skills that will make him desirable to many teams if Philly decides to move him.  All I'm saying is, if I'm running Philly, I wouldn't bother trading a guaranteed blue chip like him for a scratch ticket unless I was REALLY sure about this draft.  I'd instead look at moving him for an established young player that I've seen play in the NBA already.   That's why I threw out the Suns as a team.  They have Bledsoe and Knight at PG already (as well as Devin Booker at SG) and they have the 4th pick in a guard-heavy 3-8 range.  Seems to me, trading Knight or Bledsoe for Okafor would make some sense for both teams.  Suns could use an elite big man prospect.  Philly could use a decent guard that they know can perform on the NBA level.

[LooseCannon]

Worst-case scenario, Okafor is Al Jefferson.  What's Dunn's worst-case scenario?

Al Jefferson seems closer to Okafor's median scenario, probably with less rebounding and the same level of defense. 

And here's a fun stat: DRB%/TRB% as a rookie
Okafor 17.8/12.8
Olynyk 18.8/14.8.

[budMovin]

I'd do this in a heartbeat. Not sure why Philly would. I am kind of miffed as to why he is the man out in Philly. Out of the 3 bigs Philly has right now, Okafor should be the one they keep.

[hpantazo]

You guys are funny. Okafor put up decent numbers on a historically awful team that had nobody else who could score. He also played poor defense, got in trouble off the court repeatedly, and had an overall poor attitude. He was not in the running for rookie of the year in his own draft class.

On top of it, the Sixers have Noel, Embiid, Okafor, and Saric all playing next season. All big men. They are starting for a PG. Are we supposed to seriously think they wouldn't jump at the chance to trade Okafor for #3 and draft Dunn? They would LOVE to do so. I can see the Celtics doing much better with the #3 pick though. I would be honestly disappointed if we trade it for Okafor. He doesnt fit our team or the modern NBA game, and doesnt provide a defensive presence inside either.

Okafor still looks like a future all-star to me.  He certainly put up rookie numbers reflecting a player who will develop into an all-star.   Is Dunn a future all-star?  I'm asking this legitimately as someone who doesn't follow College ball.  Does Dunn have any hope of developing into an all-star?  Because I see that at Okafor's age, Dunn was averaging 3.8 points, 5 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 steals with 31% shooting on the College level.  Is that more impressive than Okafor putting up per-36 numbers of  21 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks with 51% shooting as a 20 year old rookie on the NBA level? 

Worst-case scenario, Okafor is Al Jefferson.  What's Dunn's worst-case scenario?

Thing is, there's a chance a month from now we'll have more insight into this draft and realize there's a Porzingus type rising up unexpectedly.  That's possible.  You might even see SImmons or Ingram fall out of the Top 2 (as did with Okafor last season).   So maybe there's a future star that will be available.  Maybe that's 22 year old Kris Dunn.

But there's also a chance Okafor will be better than every single player in this draft.  And he's already shown rare NBA skills that will make him desirable to many teams if Philly decides to move him.  All I'm saying is, if I'm running Philly, I wouldn't bother trading a guaranteed blue chip like him for a scratch ticket unless I was REALLY sure about this draft.  I'd instead look at moving him for an established young player that I've seen play in the NBA already.   That's why I threw out the Suns as a team.  They have Bledsoe and Knight at PG already (as well as Devin Booker at SG) and they have the 4th pick in a guard-heavy 3-8 range.  Seems to me, trading Knight or Bledsoe for Okafor would make some sense for both teams.  Suns could use an elite big man prospect.  Philly could use a decent guard that they know can perform on the NBA level.

There is realistically no chance Okafor will be better than both Ingram and Simmons. He likely won't be better than Bender, Dunn, and Murray either. Until he puts up good stats on a normal team, he can't be considered a sure fire future all-star. I mean, Ish Smith put up great stats for that Sixers team, is he also better than everyone in this draft?

[LarBrd33]

Worst-case scenario, Okafor is Al Jefferson.  What's Dunn's worst-case scenario?

Al Jefferson seems closer to Okafor's median scenario, probably with less rebounding and the same level of defense. 

And here's a fun stat: DRB%/TRB% as a rookie
Okafor 17.8/12.8
Olynyk 18.8/14.8.

I don't get that.  Just watch Okafor play... the dude has the best touch around the rim I've seen since young Big Al came along.  But Okafor also has an underrated mid-range game. 

As a 20 year old rookie, Big Al put up 6.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks.  Granted, Big Al came straight out of high school.  Big Al was never much of a defender.  He was a better rebounder, but part of that can be the result of surrounding talent and system.   Big Al didn't start averaging 16+ points until his 3rd season as a 22 year old.  What might Okafor look like as a 22 year old two seasons from now?

[LarBrd33]

You guys are funny. Okafor put up decent numbers on a historically awful team that had nobody else who could score. He also played poor defense, got in trouble off the court repeatedly, and had an overall poor attitude. He was not in the running for rookie of the year in his own draft class.

On top of it, the Sixers have Noel, Embiid, Okafor, and Saric all playing next season. All big men. They are starting for a PG. Are we supposed to seriously think they wouldn't jump at the chance to trade Okafor for #3 and draft Dunn? They would LOVE to do so. I can see the Celtics doing much better with the #3 pick though. I would be honestly disappointed if we trade it for Okafor. He doesnt fit our team or the modern NBA game, and doesnt provide a defensive presence inside either.

Okafor still looks like a future all-star to me.  He certainly put up rookie numbers reflecting a player who will develop into an all-star.   Is Dunn a future all-star?  I'm asking this legitimately as someone who doesn't follow College ball.  Does Dunn have any hope of developing into an all-star?  Because I see that at Okafor's age, Dunn was averaging 3.8 points, 5 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 steals with 31% shooting on the College level.  Is that more impressive than Okafor putting up per-36 numbers of  21 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks with 51% shooting as a 20 year old rookie on the NBA level? 

Worst-case scenario, Okafor is Al Jefferson.  What's Dunn's worst-case scenario?

Thing is, there's a chance a month from now we'll have more insight into this draft and realize there's a Porzingus type rising up unexpectedly.  That's possible.  You might even see SImmons or Ingram fall out of the Top 2 (as did with Okafor last season).   So maybe there's a future star that will be available.  Maybe that's 22 year old Kris Dunn.

But there's also a chance Okafor will be better than every single player in this draft.  And he's already shown rare NBA skills that will make him desirable to many teams if Philly decides to move him.  All I'm saying is, if I'm running Philly, I wouldn't bother trading a guaranteed blue chip like him for a scratch ticket unless I was REALLY sure about this draft.  I'd instead look at moving him for an established young player that I've seen play in the NBA already.   That's why I threw out the Suns as a team.  They have Bledsoe and Knight at PG already (as well as Devin Booker at SG) and they have the 4th pick in a guard-heavy 3-8 range.  Seems to me, trading Knight or Bledsoe for Okafor would make some sense for both teams.  Suns could use an elite big man prospect.  Philly could use a decent guard that they know can perform on the NBA level.

There is realistically no chance Okafor will be better than both Ingram and Simmons. He likely won't be better than Bender, Dunn, and Murray either.

Serious?  Where do you think Okafor would go in this draft if we were basing it off his freshman season winning a National Championship and not the ridiculous overreaction to his (actually pretty good) rookie season?   

[Eja117]

Say it happens...philly would have Dunn, Noel, Embiid and Simmons to build around? Not too shabby.

and dario saric

So healthy Embiid, Simmons, Saric, Noel and Dunn or Murray. Hinke is executive of the year

And Stauskas. He's still slowly getting better

[LooseCannon]

Worst-case scenario, Okafor is Al Jefferson.  What's Dunn's worst-case scenario?

Al Jefferson seems closer to Okafor's median scenario, probably with less rebounding and the same level of defense. 

And here's a fun stat: DRB%/TRB% as a rookie
Okafor 17.8/12.8
Olynyk 18.8/14.8.

I don't get that.  Just watch Okafor play... the dude has the best touch around the rim I've seen since young Big Al came along.  But Okafor also has an underrated mid-range game. 

As a 20 year old rookie, Big Al put up 6.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks.  Granted, Big Al came straight out of high school.  Big Al was never much of a defender.  He was a better rebounder, but part of that can be the result of surrounding talent and system.   Big Al didn't start averaging 16+ points until his 3rd season as a 22 year old.  What might Okafor look like as a 22 year old two seasons from now?

I'm pretty consistent in not valuing guys like Al Jefferson, Greg Monroe, or David Lee that highly and think Okafor is a player who will have similar value.

When Jefferson was in Utah, I was adamant that Paul Millsap was the more desirable player, if that gives you an idea of what I am looking for in a big man.  I'd be pretty comfortable calling Millsap the best big in the NBA this past season.  If he wasn't, it's close enough to be an acceptable alternative view.

[LarBrd33]

Say it happens...philly would have Dunn, Noel, Embiid and Simmons to build around? Not too shabby.

and dario saric

So healthy Embiid, Simmons, Saric, Noel and Dunn or Murray. Hinke is executive of the year

And Stauskas. He's still slowly getting better

TP.  Now say something nice about Biyombo.

[slamtheking]

You guys are funny. Okafor put up decent numbers on a historically awful team that had nobody else who could score. He also played poor defense, got in trouble off the court repeatedly, and had an overall poor attitude. He was not in the running for rookie of the year in his own draft class.

On top of it, the Sixers have Noel, Embiid, Okafor, and Saric all playing next season. All big men. They are starting for a PG. Are we supposed to seriously think they wouldn't jump at the chance to trade Okafor for #3 and draft Dunn? They would LOVE to do so. I can see the Celtics doing much better with the #3 pick though. I would be honestly disappointed if we trade it for Okafor. He doesnt fit our team or the modern NBA game, and doesnt provide a defensive presence inside either.

Okafor still looks like a future all-star to me. 

This coming from the same guy that was insisting to everyone that the Nets were a playoff team this year and that people like me who said they were a bottom 5 team didn't know what they were talking about.

the kid can score inside.  didn't see much else from him this year on the court.  also don't care for his off-court antics.  #3 pick would be a bit much to offer for my tastes.

[Tr1boy]

No but the 76ers won't have safety with Embiid.  Also Noel is no safe player either

They need to keep all three. 

[The Rondo Show]

You guys are funny. Okafor put up decent numbers on a historically awful team that had nobody else who could score. He also played poor defense, got in trouble off the court repeatedly, and had an overall poor attitude. He was not in the running for rookie of the year in his own draft class.

On top of it, the Sixers have Noel, Embiid, Okafor, and Saric all playing next season. All big men. They are starting for a PG. Are we supposed to seriously think they wouldn't jump at the chance to trade Okafor for #3 and draft Dunn? They would LOVE to do so. I can see the Celtics doing much better with the #3 pick though. I would be honestly disappointed if we trade it for Okafor. He doesnt fit our team or the modern NBA game, and doesnt provide a defensive presence inside either.

The first bolded part is nonsense logic. 1. Okafor missed almost a third of the season. 2. Even if he played, Towns was a historically great rookie and he wouldn't have won anyway. It says nothing about his game.

The second bolded part is so shortsighted to me. He's a 20-year old who put up 17 points on excellent efficiency with zero offensive talent around him. If he were putting up big numbers but missing a ton of shots, I think the "empty stats" idea would have more merit. The guy can flat-out score no matter who's around him or how many double teams he faces. The fact that he was on a historically bad team is even more impressive to me when you factor in his +50% shooting on 27% USG.

We're not winning a championship next year. We have time, and most importantly a very good defensive coach to develop his defense. We also have great perimeter defensive support in guys like Smart, Crowder and AB – all gigantic upgrades to the likes of Ish Smith, Nik Stauskas, Hollis Thompson, TJ McConnell etc who only exacerbated Okafor's issues.

It's also amazing how many people on here are patient when it comes to Smart's offense, but not for Okafor's defense. He's 20 years old! He has an unteachable feel for scoring within 10 feet. He has remarkable handles for a guy his size, and it shows when he faces up and iso's on the high post. He also showed tremendous improvement as a jumpshooter and FT shooter in just a year from his Duke days. He's been a winner everywhere he's played. Nothing's stopping him from becoming a good defender over time; he has the size, strength and foot speed to be at least an average defensive center. I think he's worth a serious look.

[BDeCosta26]

Yeah, it is unrealistic. Ainge isn't giving up the 3rd pick for Okafor. Noel? Maybe, maybe not. But Okafor? No way.

You can put lipstick on Al Jefferson but he's still Al Jefferson. And Al Jefferson isn't worth the 3rd pick (plus maybe more assets) in ANY draft.

[hpantazo]

Yeah, it is unrealistic. Ainge isn't giving up the 3rd pick for Okafor. Noel? Maybe, maybe not. But Okafor? No way.

You can put lipstick on Al Jefferson but he's still Al Jefferson. And Al Jefferson isn't worth the 3rd pick (plus maybe more assets) in ANY draft.

Exactly. I like Big Al, and he could flat out score in the post in his prime, but he was never, ever a player you could have as a core part of a legit contender. Ainge knew that early on. Neither is Okafor.