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

[CelticsJG]

I do this trade in a heartbeat. I take the sure all star over a pick that can be hit or miss.

[hpantazo]

I do this trade in a heartbeat. I take the sure all star over a pick that can be hit or miss.

where's the 'sure all-star'? Okafor is far from a sure anything yet.

[jpotter33]

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

Too bad four of those five play the same two positions. As it was shown this year with Noel and OKafor, it's going to be hard to try and develop four guys when you can only have two of them on the floor at a time.

[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. 

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.

That never happened. 

[LarBrd33]

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.

Yeah... except that, no.   We traded Big Al, because it got us KG. 

Also, most outside this forum acknowledge that Ainge already tried trading the pick in a package for Okafor at the trade deadline and Philly turned us down.  This after several rumors leading up to the 2015 draft that we were trying hard to trade up for Okafor.  So the idea that Ainge has no interest in Okafor doesn't have any merit.  Even if you don't believe the mountain of reports that suggest Ainge targeted him, there's been no evidence to the contrary.   

We should do an over/under on whether the player selected #3 will put up better stats in D-League this year than Okafor put up for Philly last season. 

[crimson_stallion]

I do this trade in a heartbeat. I take the sure all star over a pick that can be hit or miss.

Okafor is not a sure all-star.

He put up solid numbers on a terrible team.  That doesn't mean you are a sure all-star. 

Tyreke averaged something like 20/5/5 in his rookie year and I don't think he's made a single all-star game.

When Okafor has shown he can put up all-star calibre numbers on a team that is at least remotely competitive (i.e. not bottom 5 in the NBA) for at least 2 straight seasons, then I will concede he is worth a gamble.

Until then he has proven nothing.

[ConnerHenry]

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

But they'll also have a lot of guys coming up for big contracts around the same time. If they are able to come together and develop into a team of studs, can Philly afford to pay them all? Feels like they'll be in the same space OKC was a couple years ago.

[LarBrd33]

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

But they'll also have a lot of guys coming up for big contracts around the same time. If they are able to come together and develop into a team of studs, can Philly afford to pay them all? Feels like they'll be in the same space OKC was a couple years ago.

Inability to pay all their superstars 4 years from now has to be really low on Philly's concern list right 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.

FWIW, I went to a Suns forum and questioned if they'd target one of Philly's bigs.  Apparently a bunch of them were already in favor of doing that and brought up an interesting point I hadn't considered... Colangelo has a good relationship with the Suns.  Two Suns fans even suggested they'd be willing to trade Brandon Knight AND the #4 pick for Okafor. 

Also interesting is that a couple of the Suns fans suggested they should trade Brandon Knight for Dario Saric.   I guess they aren't that high on Brandon Knight.  That surprises me a bit, because if Philly decides to start dumping bigs, I'd expect them to target an established player like Brandon Knight over a crapshoot draft pick.  Knight is only 24 years old and averaged 20 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.2 steals last season.   Stuff like this is why I continue to think Philly is one of the most fascinating teams this Summer.

So take that for what it's worth. 

[celticsclay]

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.

FWIW, I went to a Suns forum and questioned if they'd target one of Philly's bigs.  Apparently a bunch of them were already in favor of doing that and brought up an interesting point I hadn't considered... Colangelo has a good relationship with the Suns.  Two Suns fans even suggested they'd be willing to trade Brandon Knight AND the #4 pick for Okafor. 

So take that for what it's worth.

I was on a clippers forum and they said they would do Blake and Paul for him. Edit: He also finished tied for 4th in votes today on the all-rookie team despite having the best opportunity of any record (except perhaps towns) to put up stats.

[Moranis]

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. 

[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.

FWIW, I went to a Suns forum and questioned if they'd target one of Philly's bigs.  Apparently a bunch of them were already in favor of doing that and brought up an interesting point I hadn't considered... Colangelo has a good relationship with the Suns.  Two Suns fans even suggested they'd be willing to trade Brandon Knight AND the #4 pick for Okafor.

Also interesting is that a couple of the Suns fans suggested they should trade Brandon Knight for Dario Saric.   I guess they aren't that high on Brandon Knight.  That surprises me a bit, because if Philly decides to start dumping bigs, I'd expect them to target an established player like Brandon Knight over a crapshoot draft pick.  Knight is only 24 years old and averaged 20 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.2 steals last season.   Stuff like this is why I continue to think Philly is one of the most fascinating teams this Summer.

So take that for what it's worth. 

I was on a clippers forum and they said they would do Blake and Paul for him.

Oh yeah?   Or are you just crap-posting, because you don't like that some Suns fans would trade #4 and Knight for Okafor... and others are open to trading Knight straight up for Saric?

[LarBrd33]

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.

[dannyboy35]

I think it would have to be #3 and Bradley to get any consideration

[LarBrd33]

I think it would have to be #3 and Bradley to get any consideration

#3 and Bradley would be interesting, because it would shave another 8 mil off the books to target free agents with.   With 58 mil in cap space, it would be interesting to see how Danny filled out the roster.