I don't see how Okafor wouldn't improve playing on the Celtics.
Insert a talent like him on to a winning team and positive environment, with a much more youth-oriented coach.
We are hoping drafting bender at #3 would produce a 20/10 guy, down the road. Okafor can for sure give us this, because he's already flirting with those numbers playing on a horrible team that didn't create offense for him.
With that said, if the Sixers actually have a hard-on for Murray, we shouldn't simply let them get a straight swap for #3.
THEY are the ones with the logjam. THEY would be the one's with inflated value. DA has done a great job in using his poker face, and maintaining ambiguity and interest in several players. It creates worry amongst any organization that may decide on a certain player being THEIR guy.
Being at #3 is looking more and more valuable, especially on draft night. As long as we stand pat, we have a massive opportunity to capitalize majorly, with the worst case scenario being, time expiring while we are on the clock at #3, and walk away with one of Murray/Bender/Hield/Dunn. Doesn't seem too bad to me.
I feel like we simply approach Philly pre-draft, with the idea that Murray is our pick. Not hard to believe. Most teams currently rank him #3-5 anyway, some maybe higher.
BEST CASE SCENARIO:
We talk, no deal is struck, but then Philly truly launches Murray in to the #1, or they are able to trade down with LA (which LA is unlikely to give up much because either of Simmons/Ingram) seems like an absolute win to their franchise. Either way, we hear the magical words, "Jamal Murray" called at #1 or #2, and this then slides the remainder of Ingram/Simmons in to our house, free of charge.
LIKELY OUTCOME (Assuming mutual interest):
We play hard ball. To the point where we even draft Murray at #3. Philly no longer has any leverage, and with each passing selection with less and less quality of return in a draft prospect (I assume if they are high on Murray, then Hield/Dunn would be their next preferences), they realize they are losing more and more value on any Okafor (or Noel) trade.
They panic, and offer us more than just Okafor, as they realize no other player will provide as much to their lineup as Murray (from their perspective).
We are able to get them to trade Okafor, #24 and #26 for Murray.
Even better, we are able to trade them Murray, James Young, and #23 for Okafor and Saric
Even better, they want Murray so badly, that they are willing to trade Okafor and the top 3 protected Lakers pick in 2017 or the SAC unprotected 2018 pick.
In my opinion, time is our best friend, in dealing with the 76ers organization. They have a proven track record for making draft blunders, and one step forward, two-steps back type of deals. The more we solidify that Murray is gone by #3 by draft day, if there is any validity to the rumor, they will come with more to offer than just Okafor, as they realize they can't possibly keep 4 starting caliber big-men in their developmental stages of their careers, happy and getting their full-potential by getting them on the floor.
Topic: Sixers considering Murray at #1 (Read 6370 times)