Ford: Sixers can't get top 5 pick for Okafor; Noel has more value

[alldaboston]

http://www.libertyballers.com/2016/6/16/11957196/nba-trade-rumors-jahlil-okafor-top-five-pick-nerlens-noel?utm_campaign=libertyballers&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

Of note:

I think they went into the process asking the question, 'Would we trade for the No. 3 pick, or the No. 4 pick or the No. 5 pick for a guy like Okafor, would that be good value for us?' And I think they've walked out of that scenario saying, 'We don't think we can actually get that for Okafor right now.'

I found this really interesting. I always assumed Okafor would have much more value, seeing as how he can, you know, score.

[footey]

That is impossible.

Just ask LB.  We need at least the 3rd pick and some other players for the Sixers to consider.  Because Okafor would go higher than any player picked 3rd in this draft.

Right, LB?

[Evantime34]

If the Sixers don't move Okafor on draft night I will believe this is true.

[action781]

That surprises me too a bit.  Jahlil is a heck of a player.  I wonder if GMs are actually wise and turned off by the idea that he's not the modern day big man

[Who]

Well Okafor doesn't suit Phoenix's run and gun style of play and Minnesota already have a superior prospect at center in Karl Towns. So I don't know how much to read into that if Philly indeed cannot get the 4th or 5th pick. Only Boston at #3 looks a good possibility so that is only really one man's opinion (Ainge) rather than a league-wide opinion.

[oldtype]

That surprises me too a bit.  Jahlil is a heck of a player.  I wonder if GMs are actually wise and turned off by the idea that he's not the modern day big man

That and the fact that his advanced stats were that of a genuinely bad player last year. Realistically Okafor doesn't have a whole lot of luster left beyond the residual hype from his high draft position,  which probably makes him untradable because Philly won't be able get a deal for him that doesn't make it look like they made a horrible mistake taking him at 3.

[Jon]

That surprises me too a bit.  Jahlil is a heck of a player.  I wonder if GMs are actually wise and turned off by the idea that he's not the modern day big man

Well, I think that and some of the stunts he pulled (the incident with hitting fans in Boston; driving 100 mph over the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philly). The latter may be just immaturity, but certainly hurt his short term value.

[Eddie20]

He's a stats on a bad team guy. People get excited by his 90s style game and think it'll translate to the modern day NBA. However, he's so atrocious defensively that teams will attack him relentlessly during the playoffs and he'll be such a liability vs the pnr that he would be borderline unplayable.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I've thought about this with all of the Sixers assets. Which one is not significantly discounted right now? Especially considering their need to balance their roster soon?

Noel - drafted 6th and has proven he is nothing more than a skinny defender
Embiid - drafted 3rd but will he ever be an NBA player?
Okafor - drafted 3rd but does he fit the modern NBA?
Saric - drafted in the late lottery but can he shoot? Is he actually coming to the NBA?
Covington - he can score on a bad team, but he is not efficient. We all saw what happened to Wroten
Stauskas - drafted 8th, but is he an NBA player

Seriously, the only asset they have that is market value is the number 1 pick. To make trades now would be to overpay right now just to balance their roster.

However, they could get a ton of value out of the 1st pick. The Celtics would probably overpay and give them 5 first rounders for it.

They won't do this, but they are really in a tough spot to try to get fair value for any of their assets.

[tankcity!]

I told everyone Okafor's value would be down. Lbrrd33 was wrong about this one.

[Evantime34]

He's a stats on a bad team guy. People get excited by his 90s style game and think it'll translate to the modern day NBA. However, he's so atrocious defensively that teams will attack him relentlessly during the playoffs and he'll be such a liability vs the pnr that he would be borderline unplayable.

He still scored efficiently though. It wasn't like he was a volume chucker for a bad team. Agree on the style fit hurting his value.

I think he will be able to learn to play the NBA game on defense with time. He has a really long wingspan, demonstrated a good bball IQ (at least on offense but I think it will eventually translate to defense) and has shown to be pretty quick laterally with the ball in the post.

KAT is an aberration, most centers take time to develop.

I could see him as a fit next to Anthony Davis in NOLA.

[jpotter33]

Sure they can get a top five pick for him - through a three way trade.

Boston - Butler, #14

Chicago - Okafor, Bradley, Rozier, #23

Philly - #3

This works for everyone involved -

Boston gets their star and a late lottery pick they can use with 16 to move up;

Chicago gets a franchise cornerstone big in Okafor, a great, still young vet 2 guard in AB, and their point guard prospect that they envied last year. This gives them the best of both worlds by staying competitive in the East while getting younger and good prospects;

Philly - gets Dunn for Okafor.

This honestly makes too much sense all around not to happen.

[Eddie20]

He's a stats on a bad team guy. People get excited by his 90s style game and think it'll translate to the modern day NBA. However, he's so atrocious defensively that teams will attack him relentlessly during the playoffs and he'll be such a liability vs the pnr that he would be borderline unplayable.

He still scored efficiently though. It wasn't like he was a volume chucker for a bad team. Agree on the style fit hurting his value.

I think he will be able to learn to play the NBA game on defense with time. He has a really long wingspan, demonstrated a good bball IQ (at least on offense but I think it will eventually translate to defense) and has shown to be pretty quick laterally with the ball in the post.

KAT is an aberration, most centers take time to develop.

I could see him as a fit next to Anthony Davis in NOLA.

I'm of the mindset that he needs to have the perfect players around him to excel. A defensive minded 4 that can stretch the floor and not clog the interior, a bunch of 3 and d guys that can spread the floor and help him out on defense, and a solid pg that is a good passer/pnr guy that can effectively feed him the post. Now that's the dilemma. Is Okafor really such a transcendent talent that you build your team around him to accentuate his strengths and nullify his many weaknesses? I just don't see that. Rather have a guy that might not be as talented offensively, but doesn't have as many holes in other areas.

[BornReady]

He's a stats on a bad team guy. People get excited by his 90s style game and think it'll translate to the modern day NBA. However, he's so atrocious defensively that teams will attack him relentlessly during the playoffs and he'll be such a liability vs the pnr that he would be borderline unplayable.

He still scored efficiently though. It wasn't like he was a volume chucker for a bad team. Agree on the style fit hurting his value.

I think he will be able to learn to play the NBA game on defense with time. He has a really long wingspan, demonstrated a good bball IQ (at least on offense but I think it will eventually translate to defense) and has shown to be pretty quick laterally with the ball in the post.

KAT is an aberration, most centers take time to develop.

I could see him as a fit next to Anthony Davis in NOLA.

But NOLA is only 6 while Philly targeting a guard will probably need a top 5 choice to choose their preferred guard eg Dunn, Murray, hield 
Or possibly end up with another front court player if bender drops down

[Vox_Populi]

Just like the report that said Philly would rather have Noel, this isn't surprising at all.