76ers more interested in trading Okafor than Noel

[Ilikesports17]

I really don't want Okafor on our team. I'd rather draft Brown or Bender. Seriously.

I agree. Okafor has a game that is too limited. He does excel at low post scoring but that is about all he brings. CBS' offense likes to have movement and players who can play different places on the floor for spacing. Okafor is the opposite of that.

Yeah, I love classic low post players, but he's pretty one dimensional in terms of his impact on the game as of right now.  He's also not much of a passer, rebounder, or shot blocker, especially, but I can see why people like him as far as giving us an inside presence, which desperately need. 

As an aside, I think the defensive strategy employed towards him should be called The Jah Rules . Don't Jah wish your big men had feet like me?  Don't Jah wish your big men had hooks like me?  Don't Jah...

I understand the Jah hate, and am not sold on him either, but he is a terrific athlete for a guy his size. His hands are massive and his footwork (based on what Ive read and heard, I wont pretend to be able to spot something like this on my own) is nearly flawless which combined with his elite post skills make for a dominant post scorer. The passing is a fair critique but it was something he was pretty good at when he played in a real system(Duke) as opposed to the dumpster fire from last season. His defense was and has always been ****ty, but I think he is being underated as an athlete. Hes long, could stand to add muscle without sacrificing a lot of quickness and is pretty nimble for a 7 footer. I think he could easily develop into an OK defender. Also he shot 69% from the stripe (as opposed to 51% in college) indicating his form has taken a big step forward and you have to remember, hes 20. I dont see any reason why he cant develop into an OK midrange shooter.

And thats the key. With his potential as a dominant double team drawing center, all he has to do is become and OK defender and an OK midrange shooter and he will be a stud in this league.

My  concern with Jahlil is rebounding, but once again, hes a big dude, so I think if he adds some muscle and just learns the game a bit better I dont see why he cant become a competent rebounder.

[trickybilly]

Pull. The. Trigger.

Suicide.

[crimson_stallion]

Of course they'd rather trade Okafor.

Noel has a better attitide, he's a got a skill set that better translates to today's NBA, he's an easier piece to build atound, and IMHO he has more upside.

Really the fact that the Sixers would rather trade Okafor then Noel should be all the proof anyone needs that Okafor is overrated...but alas people here will ignore it and insist he's a stud.

76ers wanting to trade Okafor is like somebody buying a brand new exotic performance car, then putting it up for sale one year later.  If i saw that i'd be concerned personally...

[Pucaccia]

Okafor will be a superstar if he gets to Boston.

[colincb]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics ask for more than Okafor if they work out a deal.

What else does Philly have that we would want?  Our other two first rounders are better than Philly's and I don't think this team needs somebody like Covington as a marginal bench player.

Mike

Chad Ford says:

ESPN Insider ‏@ESPNInsider Jun 10

They'd prefer to move Okafor. For either a Top 6 pick or a young guard.

The difference between the 3rd pick and 6th pick would argue for something else added for the Cs. Covington might sweeten the deal or a switch of a 1st with early 2nd rounder. I'm not a fan of Okafor myself, but I keep hearing Jaylen Brown. From Kyler 6/12

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA 11h11 hours ago

Far from locked, but the sense among agents and teams is Jaylen is the C's guy if they don't trade the pick.

I'm not a fan of Brown's either. but would take Okafor + consideration > Brown.

[colincb]

Of course they'd rather trade Okafor.

Noel has a better attitide, he's a got a skill set that better translates to today's NBA, he's an easier piece to build atound, and IMHO he has more upside.

Really the fact that the Sixers would rather trade Okafor then Noel should be all the proof anyone needs that Okafor is overrated...but alas people here will ignore it and insist he's a stud.

76ers wanting to trade Okafor is like somebody buying a brand new exotic performance car, then putting it up for sale one year later.  If i saw that i'd be concerned personally...

No the Sixers really want to get rid of the better player!

As for trading Okafor after one year, that's a lot better than trying to trade Ben McLemore just 3+ months into his first season and then picking his replacement in the draft after his first season. Now that's a vote of confidence. Had plenty of takers at CBlog though because he was the 7th pick,

[Beat LA]

I really don't want Okafor on our team. I'd rather draft Brown or Bender. Seriously.

I agree. Okafor has a game that is too limited. He does excel at low post scoring but that is about all he brings. CBS' offense likes to have movement and players who can play different places on the floor for spacing. Okafor is the opposite of that.

Yeah, I love classic low post players, but he's pretty one dimensional in terms of his impact on the game as of right now.  He's also not much of a passer, rebounder, or shot blocker, especially, but I can see why people like him as far as giving us an inside presence, which desperately need. 

As an aside, I think the defensive strategy employed towards him should be called The Jah Rules . Don't Jah wish your big men had feet like me?  Don't Jah wish your big men had hooks like me?  Don't Jah...

I understand the Jah hate, and am not sold on him either, but he is a terrific athlete for a guy his size. His hands are massive and his footwork (based on what Ive read and heard, I wont pretend to be able to spot something like this on my own) is nearly flawless which combined with his elite post skills make for a dominant post scorer. The passing is a fair critique but it was something he was pretty good at when he played in a real system(Duke) as opposed to the dumpster fire from last season. His defense was and has always been ****ty, but I think he is being underated as an athlete. Hes long, could stand to add muscle without sacrificing a lot of quickness and is pretty nimble for a 7 footer. I think he could easily develop into an OK defender. Also he shot 69% from the stripe (as opposed to 51% in college) indicating his form has taken a big step forward and you have to remember, hes 20. I dont see any reason why he cant develop into an OK midrange shooter.

And thats the key. With his potential as a dominant double team drawing center, all he has to do is become and OK defender and an OK midrange shooter and he will be a stud in this league.

My  concern with Jahlil is rebounding, but once again, hes a big dude, so I think if he adds some muscle and just learns the game a bit better I dont see why he cant become a competent rebounder.

I'm not saying that he's anywhere near a finished product, but my concern is how is he going to be able to stay on the court if he can't defend?  Stevens will probably just send him to the d league until he straightens that out, lol, and do we really want another big guy who doesn't rebound?  Ugh.

[Beat LA]

From Kyler 6/12

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA 11h11 hours ago

Far from locked, but the sense among agents and teams is Jaylen is the C's guy if they don't trade the pick.

Oh dear god .

[BornReady]

im not surprised as noel has more of a chance of fitting than okafor
 okafor has been the one stable safe pick they've made so far
having no injuries but a lower upside

if they traded okafor for our #3 pick
i wonder who they would target
probably a guard - Dunn or Murray

[CoachBo]

Since Okafor is the first 20 year old pro in the history of the game to stand no chance of improving his game - if this board is to be believed - you'd think the 3 would be enough, wouldn't you?

Make the deal, Danny.

[boscel33]

Since Okafor is the first 20 year old pro in the history of the game to stand no chance of improving his game - if this board is to be believed - you'd think the 3 would be enough, wouldn't you?

Make the deal, Danny.

There are some that believe the the #3 might be too much and Philly needs to send us more.

[CoachBo]

Since Okafor is the first 20 year old pro in the history of the game to stand no chance of improving his game - if this board is to be believed - you'd think the 3 would be enough, wouldn't you?

Make the deal, Danny.

There are some that believe the the #3 might be too much and Philly needs to send us more.

There are some who would be wrong.

[TwinTower14]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics ask for more than Okafor if they work out a deal.

What else does Philly have that we would want?  Our other two first rounders are better than Philly's and I don't think this team needs somebody like Covington as a marginal bench player.

Mike

Chad Ford says:

ESPN Insider ‏@ESPNInsider Jun 10

They'd prefer to move Okafor. For either a Top 6 pick or a young guard.

The difference between the 3rd pick and 6th pick would argue for something else added for the Cs. Covington might sweeten the deal or a switch of a 1st with early 2nd rounder. I'm not a fan of Okafor myself, but I keep hearing Jaylen Brown. From Kyler 6/12

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA 11h11 hours ago

Far from locked, but the sense among agents and teams is Jaylen is the C's guy if they don't trade the pick.

I'm not a fan of Brown's either. but would take Okafor + consideration > Brown.

Why not Smart + 16 for Okafor? Fills needs on both teams.

[MBunge]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics ask for more than Okafor if they work out a deal.

What else does Philly have that we would want?  Our other two first rounders are better than Philly's and I don't think this team needs somebody like Covington as a marginal bench player.

Mike

Chad Ford says:

ESPN Insider ‏@ESPNInsider Jun 10

They'd prefer to move Okafor. For either a Top 6 pick or a young guard.

The difference between the 3rd pick and 6th pick would argue for something else added for the Cs. Covington might sweeten the deal or a switch of a 1st with early 2nd rounder. I'm not a fan of Okafor myself, but I keep hearing Jaylen Brown. From Kyler 6/12

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA 11h11 hours ago

Far from locked, but the sense among agents and teams is Jaylen is the C's guy if they don't trade the pick.

I'm not a fan of Brown's either. but would take Okafor + consideration > Brown.

I doubt anyone outside the Celtics knows what Ainge is going to do.  He's got a pretty good record of keeping his cards close to his vest.

Mike

[MBunge]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics ask for more than Okafor if they work out a deal.

What else does Philly have that we would want?  Our other two first rounders are better than Philly's and I don't think this team needs somebody like Covington as a marginal bench player.

Mike

The Lakers Pick/Dario Saric. I think it all depends on how desperate Philly is for a guard.

I didn't even think about that.  The Hinkie cultists would lose their minds if Philly gave up Okafor and either of those things for the 3.

Mike