Jahlil Okafor May Be On His Way to New Orleans

[Smitty77]

I told everyone about a month ago that Okafor wouldn't get much more than a late first rounder. I was called crazy, delusional and insulted in various manners by a few posters on the board. Kind of funny if a month later that is exactly what happens. (unless people are pretending a plodding 28 year third string French center is some kind of haul)

Actually, the argument was that the 76ers couldn't get a 1st for him. The goalposts only moved once the ludicrousness of that statement was made clear. In fact you indicated that many Philly fans would take 2 2nds. If the argument about lottery protection is the only thing standing in the way of this deal then that is further evidence to the stupidity of the statement that he isn't worth a first.

In short, don't break your arm patting yourself on your back. You're still wrong.

That is not true.. there may have been some confusion in a thread with a lot of back and forth, but I repeatedly clarified I said they would only get a late first round for him. If they get a top 14 protected pick for him and it ends up being the 18th or 19th pick I was clearly a lot closer on his value than others were. Not really sure what you are going on about.

There wasn't any confusion in that thread. The statement was made that Philly couldn't get a 1st round pick for Okafor. You yourself indicated that many Philly fans would be happy with 2 2nd round picks. No, it was quite clear what the argument was about.

And as proof, I submit Exhibit A:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=88502.msg2223281#msg2223281

Please note you own quote in that very thread:

Potter you should run a poll on whether people would give up a late first for him. I probably wouldn't.

In other words:

DON'T
LIE

A VERY STRONG argument could be made that 2 second round picks are better than 1 first rounder in the 20's, especially in this VERY DEEP draft!!!!

Smitty77

[Smitty77]

I told everyone about a month ago that Okafor wouldn't get much more than a late first rounder. I was called crazy, delusional and insulted in various manners by a few posters on the board. Kind of funny if a month later that is exactly what happens. (unless people are pretending a plodding 28 year third string French center is some kind of haul)

Actually, the argument was that the 76ers couldn't get a 1st for him. The goalposts only moved once the ludicrousness of that statement was made clear. In fact you indicated that many Philly fans would take 2 2nds. If the argument about lottery protection is the only thing standing in the way of this deal then that is further evidence to the stupidity of the statement that he isn't worth a first.

In short, don't break your arm patting yourself on your back. You're still wrong.

That is not true.. there may have been some confusion in a thread with a lot of back and forth, but I repeatedly clarified I said they would only get a late first round for him. If they get a top 14 protected pick for him and it ends up being the 18th or 19th pick I was clearly a lot closer on his value than others were. Not really sure what you are going on about.

There wasn't any confusion in that thread. The statement was made that Philly couldn't get a 1st round pick for Okafor. You yourself indicated that many Philly fans would be happy with 2 2nd round picks. No, it was quite clear what the argument was about.

You weren't closer than many others either. Many of us have been saying that Okafor's value was around a mid-1st for a while now. I said he wasn't worth the #3 or even a top 8 during lottery time last year (when his value was a bit higher) and I've also said he was worth more than a 2nd rounder or even a late first (recently). It's only a small, loud segment who was claiming that Okafor was a top 5 talent and an even smaller segment who think he's worth less than a small pizza and a diet coke.

In short, don't try moving the goalposts and then praising yourself. That's all.

And as proof, I submit Exhibit A:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=88502.msg2223281#msg2223281

What something is worth and what a poorly run franchise like N.O. might pay for something are 2 different things.  I personally wouldn't take Okafor if you gave him to me and have been saying so for years.  His game is the antithesis of what you want in today's game.

I second this Oracle!!

Smitty77

[Moranis]

So it sounds like Holiday and a 1st for Okafor is being discussed.  Now that seems weird.

[slamtheking]

should be interesting to see what the final deal for Okafor turns out to be if he is indeed traded.  there's been 2 vocal posters on the site that proclaimed Sixers should get a haul for him and that he was going to be a stud.  noticing their silence on this lowball offer for Okafor.  curious if they'll chime in and admit they overvalued him

[RAAAAAAAANDY]

I'm surprised the return is this high.

[manl_lui]

probably a better situation for him, playing alongside Anthony Davis, and now Philly sort of have a clearer vision on how they want to build their team

[Ilikesports17]

Deal isnt done yet. We dont know the return.

[celticsclay]

Yea at this point I have no idea what the actual trade will be. Weird day for rumors

[fantankerous]

I'm surprised the return is this high.

Me too.  Okafor is a garbage player.  NO is hard pressed to inherit the mantle for worst FO in the league.

[Monkhouse]

But apparently the reports show that the 76ers are insistent upon re-signing Jrue Holiday.

Are they trying to find a third team that could help facilitate the deal?

I mean, I don't really get the hold up. Unless the logistics involve low protection on NO's 1st round pick.

[RAAAAAAAANDY]

Deal isnt done yet. We dont know the return.

I guess I should have said I'm surprised some of the rumored pieces in a possible return are what they are. I wouldn't give up a 1st round pick for the guy. I'd be tossing a 2nd at best.

[mahcussmaht]

So it sounds like Holiday and a 1st for Okafor is being discussed.  Now that seems weird.

There's no way they get Jrue Holiday and a 1st for Okafor.  Jrue Holiday is great.  Okafor is the worst player ever.  Maybe it will be a 3 team trade with the Knicks where they will get JUSTIN Holiday and a Top 30 protected 1st.  That would make more sense.  Justin Holiday sucks.  Almost as much as Okafor sucks.  Even that would be a win for the 76ers.

[Ilikesports17]

So it sounds like Holiday and a 1st for Okafor is being discussed.  Now that seems weird.

There's no way they get Jrue Holiday and a 1st for Okafor.  Jrue Holiday is great.  Okafor is the worst player ever.  Maybe it will be a 3 team trade with the Knicks where they will get JUSTIN Holiday and a Top 30 protected 1st.  That would make more sense.  Justin Holiday sucks.  Almost as much as Okafor sucks.  Even that would be a win for the 76ers.

top 30 protected firsts are a rare commodity.

[action781]

I think its terrible that NO is going to add a lane clogging, no defense, ball stopping center to that team. Leaving AD at center and adding a stretch 4 that can defend is what they should be doing.

Well, is there any team that it wouldn't be terrible for to add a lane clogging, no defense, ball stopping center?  When you put it that way, it seems like his team option shouldn't have even been picked up and no team should sign him as a FA even. 

I'm not crazy about Jahlil's game personally.  I think leaving AD at center and adding a stretch 4 who can defend would be great.  But how many young stretch 4s who can defend are there in the league that are acquirable?  NO doesn't really have much for assets to trade away for this stretch 4.  (Ibaka could be an interesting choice I guess although he'll cost a boatload to resign this offseason and I think they want go go younger)

But if they can't get that stretch 4, I could see them trying to turn AD into that stretch 4 and pick up a center instead.  Eh, I dunno, maybe you're right.  I guess I just want to believe that scoring centers can still be utilized, but the defense is kind of a big issue. 

[Smartacus]

So it sounds like Holiday and a 1st for Okafor is being discussed.  Now that seems weird.

There's no way they get Jrue Holiday and a 1st for Okafor.  Jrue Holiday is great.  Okafor is the worst player ever.  Maybe it will be a 3 team trade with the Knicks where they will get JUSTIN Holiday and a Top 30 protected 1st.  That would make more sense.  Justin Holiday sucks.  Almost as much as Okafor sucks.  Even that would be a win for the 76ers.

A cost controlled Jrue Holiday is a great player. A Jrue Holiday that is likely to leave New Orleans this summer is a throw in for a team like NO that is no longer contending.

Jrue would be an excellent fit on the current Philly roster, for the same reasons I argued that Avery Bradley would. Acquiring an elite PG defender and off ball scorer who has supposed good ties with the organization that drafted him would be a coup.

Just speculating but wouldn't doubt that Holiday has rough ties with the NO organization after they went after Philly and him for failing to disclose injury info. Tack on the emergence of Tim Frazier and hopefully the return of a healthy Tyreke Evans and it's almost certain Holiday will bail this summer diminishing his value on the open trade market to basically nothing.