Report: Sixers to explore trades for Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel

Report: Sixers to explore trades for Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel

NBC SPORTS

By Kurt HelinMay 27, 2016, 4:58 PM EDT


The Sixers are on schedule to have 7-foot Joel Embiid suited up for them next season at center. They may have 6’10” Dario Saric in from overseas (if not next season, the one after). They are about to draft 6’10 forward Ben Simmons with the No. 1 overall pick.

Where does that leave the two guys who were the core of the Sixers’ front line last season, Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel?

Possibly on the trade block, according to Chad Ford and Marc Stein of ESPN.

The Philadelphia 76ers will explore trading Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel in the buildup to the NBA draft on June 23, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN that the Sixers are determined to gauge the trade market for both Okafor and Noel and are increasingly likely to move at least one of them in conjunction with the draft, in which Philadelphia holds the No. 1 overall selection for the first time since selecting Allen Iverson in 1996.

Ford said more on a 97.3 ESPN Philadephia radio interview, via the 700 Club at CSNPhilly.com.

“I think that they’ll gauge the interest of both players. I think that there might be a slight preference for Noel, to keep him around with the Sixers, and I think you might be right, there might be a slight, better value for Okafor out on the market, but I think everyone agrees that that combination of those two players doesn’t necessarily work. The Sixers needs to pick up assets, especially if they’re gonna go ahead and do a Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram with the first pick in the draft. Then they’re gonna need those assets to start to fill out their backcourt, because the 24th pick and [the 26th pick], you’re not finding starters.”

I doubt they would move either for another pick. Remember that “the process” is dead in Philly — the Sixers want to start winning more now under the Colangelos. How far they are willing to go down that road — and what pieces they may be willing to sacrifice — remains to be seen, but here is what GM Bryant Colangelo told NBC Sports after finding out his team got the No. 1 pick.

“I’ve been quoted as saying you can only have so many developing players in your fold,” Colangelo said. “There’s a lot to consider to finding a balance… I think there needs to be a blend of young talent and veterans on your roster, there needs to be a balance.”

Okafor is what he is — he can score in the paint, he can rebound, he will get you some buckets, but he’s not much of a defender and he’s not an explosive athlete. He has a real place, a real value in the NBA, particularly while still on his rookie contract. The question is will the Sixers get good enough offers to make a swap.

112288

The latest rumor here is that the trade would be the #3 pick AND MARCUS SMART for Okafur.
Are you in favor of that trade?


http://www.morningnewsusa.com/nba-rumors-celtics-trade-marcus-smart-nets-pick-jahlil-okafor-2366890.html



NBA Rumors: Celtics To Trade Marcus Smart, Nets Pick For Jahlil Okafor?



NBA Rumors: Celtics To Trade Marcus Smart, Nets Pick For Jahlil Okafor?
Jahlil Okafor Ed / Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

BY SAI M ON EMAIL PUBLISHED: 1:40 PM, MAR 29, 2016 UPDATED: 1:40 PM, MAR 29, 2016


The Boston Celtics will offer Marcus Smart and the lottery draft pick owed to them by Brooklyn Nets to try and acquire Jahlil Okafor away from Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, per league sources.

Okafor, drafted third overall in the 2015 Draft, underwent a season-ending arthroscopic surgery last week to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Prior to the injury, Okafor appeared in 53 games for Philadelphia and averaged an impressive tally of 17.5 points, 7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.


Despite Okafor’s impressive rookie season, the Sixers will struggle to find playing time for Okafor next season since Joel Embiid is expected to make his long-awaited NBA debut. With Nerlens Noel already making the Power Forward position his own, the Sixers have a stacked front court.

Odd pairing of Embiid, Okafor

On Sunday, Keith Pompey of Philly.com revealed that the Sixers will look to trade Okafor during the summer. “Similar players, Okafor and Embiid are an unlikely pairing. They are both liabilities guarding athletic power forwards and chasing stretch fours on the perimeter. So the belief is that the Sixers may try to move Okafor this summer if Embiid is healthy. If he isn’t, they have to decide between Okafor and Noel,” revealed the Sixers reporter.

Like us on Facebook
According to the Boston Herald, the Celtics aggressively tried to acquire Okafor prior to last month’s February 18 trade deadline. And though Boston couldn’t strike a deal at the time, it is expected that they once again go after the former Duke product this forthcoming offseason.

Remember, the Celtics will have Brooklyn Nets’ lottery pick – which is projected to fall inside the top 5. According to a source close to GM Danny Ainge, the team will be willing to give up Smart and Brooklyn’s pick if Sixers were ready to deal Okafor. Even though Smart has shown signs of improvement this season, the sophomore is still viewed as a back-up to starting PG Isiah Thomas.

Will Jahlil Okafor be the starting center for the Boston Celtics next season?



bob


.

No #3. Philly is trading a young guy who can score but has deficiencies in defense. If we trading Smart who is young and has 2 years experience and who can play defense but is deficient in shooting, I think it is a straight up deal and maybe throw in our next first round pick. That is it!

With #3 we can get the kid from Providence.

Otherwise it is too much compensation for him. I would look to get Noah for 2 year deal instead.

112288

112244

bobheckler wrote:The latest rumor here is that the trade would be the #3 pick AND MARCUS SMART for Okafur.
Are you in favor of that trade?


http://www.morningnewsusa.com/nba-rumors-celtics-trade-marcus-smart-nets-pick-jahlil-okafor-2366890.html



NBA Rumors: Celtics To Trade Marcus Smart, Nets Pick For Jahlil Okafor?



NBA Rumors: Celtics To Trade Marcus Smart, Nets Pick For Jahlil Okafor?
Jahlil Okafor Ed / Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

BY SAI M ON EMAIL  PUBLISHED: 1:40 PM, MAR 29, 2016  UPDATED: 1:40 PM, MAR 29, 2016


The Boston Celtics will offer Marcus Smart and the lottery draft pick owed to them by Brooklyn Nets to try and acquire Jahlil Okafor away from Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, per league sources.

Okafor, drafted third overall in the 2015 Draft, underwent a season-ending arthroscopic surgery last week to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Prior to the injury, Okafor appeared in 53 games for Philadelphia and averaged an impressive tally of 17.5 points, 7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.


Despite Okafor’s impressive rookie season, the Sixers will struggle to find playing time for Okafor next season since Joel Embiid is expected to make his long-awaited NBA debut. With Nerlens Noel already making the Power Forward position his own, the Sixers have a stacked front court.

Odd pairing of Embiid, Okafor

On Sunday, Keith Pompey of Philly.com revealed that the Sixers will look to trade Okafor during the summer. “Similar players, Okafor and Embiid are an unlikely pairing. They are both liabilities guarding athletic power forwards and chasing stretch fours on the perimeter. So the belief is that the Sixers may try to move Okafor this summer if Embiid is healthy. If he isn’t, they have to decide between Okafor and Noel,” revealed the Sixers reporter.

Like us on Facebook
According to the Boston Herald, the Celtics aggressively tried to acquire Okafor prior to last month’s February 18 trade deadline. And though Boston couldn’t strike a deal at the time, it is expected that they once again go after the former Duke product this forthcoming offseason.

Remember, the Celtics will have Brooklyn Nets’ lottery pick – which is projected to fall inside the top 5. According to a source close to GM Danny Ainge, the team will be willing to give up Smart and Brooklyn’s pick if Sixers were ready to deal Okafor. Even though Smart has shown signs of improvement this season, the sophomore is still viewed as a back-up to starting PG Isiah Thomas.

Will Jahlil Okafor be the starting center for the Boston Celtics next season?



bob


.

Bob - That'a not the latest rumor - that article is dated March 29th - I don't think that's accurate anymore. When it was written the writer didn't even know where we'd be drafting. No way Danny gives up Marcus Smart AND the #3 pick for Okafor, a flawed player who has exhibited off the court problems.

I agree that's an old deal , perhaps what was floated amongst the teams at the trade deadline.

If they want Smart AND the #3 pick, they would need to give up OKafor and the rights to Saric for me as a starting point.

Oops. Sorry, folks. Mar, May, whatever...


bob


.