[CrossyboyParticipant]

 Two things are evident to everyone. Noel and Okafor are both talented players. Noel and Okafor are a terrible pairing. Next year they’re adding Saric, probably Embiid and possibly Simmons.

The 76ers identity is set around athleticism, length and defensive intensity, with the hope that they can add 3 point shooting to the mix. Okafor goes against this.

I just get the feeling that Okafor is another MCW, a talented, ill-fitting player who’ll be flipped. Noel, on the other hand, whilst not the scorer Okafor is, has shown that he improves the team defensively and showed the commitment to improve that you want to see from a young prospect. With that in mind, what is Okafor’s value? I’m going to throw out a few names that might be interesting, what do you think the sides would need to add to make it work?

BOS: So many pieces. Smart, Olynyk and Bradley would all be welcome. With Boston chasing centres, could Okafor be the answer? What (if anything) would need to be added to Smart to get Okafor?

GSW: Harrison Barnes is up for a max contract, a host of other pieces up for renewal & Bogut aging, Okafor would be a great piece. Barnes would be an amazing fit for Philly. Can’t see it happening now, but could it happen around draft time?

 LAL: Russell was the man that Philly were after, but has been trapped behind the Kobe farewell tour and seems to be a poor fit alongside Clarkson. Straight swap?

These aren’t fully fleshed out deals, just expressions of interest. I’m relying on you, good posters, to get them over the line…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

I dont think any teams want to run their offensive sets through a post-up bigman who cant pass out of the post.

Its proven that even the best post players score less points-per-possession than below-average pick’n’roll duos. Teams would rather try all kinds of motion offenses than just dumping it in the post. It’s not a lost art like oldskool fans have you believe.

It’s simply a low % play.

Especially low demand if that center has negative defensive value.

His value would be a league-average starter for this reason…..in my opinion.

 

 

[Hype Machine]

I dont think any teams want to run their offensive sets through a post-up bigman who cant pass out of the post.

Its proven that even the best post players score less points-per-possession than below-average pick’n’roll duos. Teams would rather try all kinds of motion offenses than just dumping it in the post. It’s not a lost art like oldskool fans have you believe.

It’s simply a low % play.

Especially low demand if that center has negative defensive value.

His value would be a league-average starter for this reason…..in my opinion.

 

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 Jah isn’t just scoring out of the post. He’s scoring in PnR, pops, and mid post face ups too.  Vs the Blazers the other day, I wanna say that his first 10-12 points started off with touches in space off of PnRs or catching the ball at the elbows/FT line extended area.  I’m sure there is a highlight tape so you can see for yourself the variety of places he’s been getting his touches and scoring from.  You don’t just have to dump the ball to him.  His footwork and ball skills in space are amazing for a big.  His jumper is coming a long way too.  Post up is just 1 scoring option for him.  That type of offensive versatility should be welcomed in any era.

If the 6ers are looking for the most return, then sure, trade Jah but I personally would get rid of Noel before he gets further exposed.  Quite frankly I think he sucks. Super weak with a frail build, low IQ, brick hands, poor touch, lacks toughness and he doesn’t even bring it every night on the one end he’s expected to.  He’s an overrated defender because of his low IQ, gambling nature and lack of toughness.  I want my defensive anchor to be solid, smart and have the intangible qualities to be the defense’s quarterback.  I don’t see that in Noel at all.

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 Jah isn’t just scoring out of the post. He’s scoring in PnR, pops, and mid post face ups too.  Vs the Blazers the other day, I wanna say that his first 10-12 points started off with touches in space off of PnRs or catching the ball at the elbows/FT line extended area.  I’m sure there is a highlight tape so you can see for yourself the variety of places he’s been getting his touches and scoring from.  You don’t just have to dump the ball to him.  His footwork and ball skills in space are amazing for a big.  His jumper is coming a long way too.  Post up is just 1 scoring option for him.  That type of offensive versatility should be welcomed in any era.

If the 6ers are looking for the most return, then sure, trade Jah but I personally would get rid of Noel before he gets further exposed.  Quite frankly I think he sucks. Super weak with a frail build, low IQ, brick hands, poor touch, lacks toughness and he doesn’t even bring it every night on the one end he’s expected to.  He’s an overrated defender because of his low IQ, gambling nature and lack of toughness.  I want my defensive anchor to be solid, smart and have the intangible qualities to be the defense’s quarterback.  I don’t see that in Noel at all.

 

[CobraParticipant]

 Awful post. Noel’s IQ is outstanding for such a young player. He’s proven to have an elite impact on a game defensively. He’s a better rebounder than Okafor as well. Okafor has killed the Sixers defense this year, but last year with Noel at center they were 13th in defensive efficiney, 27th the year before.

[CobraParticipant]

 Awful post. Noel’s IQ is outstanding for such a young player. He’s proven to have an elite impact on a game defensively. He’s a better rebounder than Okafor as well. Okafor has killed the Sixers defense this year, but last year with Noel at center they were 13th in defensive efficiney, 27th the year before.

[GBeeParticipant]

 Yeah right. Noel’s a dunce with the ball in his hands and he gambles way too much on defense. He’d rather go for steals in the open and reach around on post ups then be solid.  Doesn’t talk, doesn’t direct on defense and he’s still susceptible to hunting blocks bc he plays on instincts, but his instincts are fundamentally unsound.   If he was elite defensively, then he’d be versatile defensively, but all I’ve heard this year has been "Noel needs to be a C…blah blah."  Physically there is no reason why he can’t defend in space given his lateral quicks.  Mentally is a different story….

I’d get rid of him with the quickness before the hype wears off.

 

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 Yeah right. Noel’s a dunce with the ball in his hands and he gambles way too much on defense. He’d rather go for steals in the open and reach around on post ups then be solid.  Doesn’t talk, doesn’t direct on defense and he’s still susceptible to hunting blocks bc he plays on instincts, but his instincts are fundamentally unsound.   If he was elite defensively, then he’d be versatile defensively, but all I’ve heard this year has been "Noel needs to be a C…blah blah."  Physically there is no reason why he can’t defend in space given his lateral quicks.  Mentally is a different story….

I’d get rid of him with the quickness before the hype wears off.

 

 

[CobraParticipant]

Such garbage you have been typing. His abilily to guard in space makes him one of the most versatile defensive big men in the NBA. He could switch out on any position and hold his own for a few seconds at the end of shot clocks and regularly blows up opponents pick and rolls. He usually picks the pocket of people trying to drive on him, even guards. That’s an ability very few centers have. Most of the time he’s out there with four teammates making mistakes and blowing assignments leaving him to clean it all up. He alters offensive game plans when he’s at center. Less shots are attempted in the paint just due to his presence. He’s an amazing defensive talent. Incredible physical gifts + mental gifts. Offensively he has proven to be an efficient scorer in a Deandre Jordan type of role, and unlike Deandre, Noel is a much better free throw shooter and has good passing vision, due to aforementioned high IQ.

[GBeeParticipant]

 Then why does he suck as a PF? Why all this talk about how he struggles defending stretches and how he HAS to be a C?  That’s all I hear from the Noel excuse makers. IMO the reason why he has not nearly been as effective defending as a 4 is because he can’t just sit his ass in the paint and react, making shorter rotations.

His discipline sucks which is why he reaches so much.  While the successful pokes show up as steals in the boxscore, what doesn’t show up in the box is when he reaches and gives up position or compromises the back line of the defense.  Same goes for when he hunts blocks and fails.  His fundamentals are poor and he gets rag dolled in the post because hes built like a female.

Offensively he has proven to have a very poor feel for the game, no touch, no moves, bad hands and can only function in the finishing capacity.  His passing is ok, but he attempts some really awkward stuff, like odd entries from bad angles and dump offs.  I would never trust him as a passing hub because of how poor he is offensively being weak with the ball and having a stramge feel for the game.  He is zero threat catching the ball when not in a position to dunk.

 

 

 

 

[CobraParticipant]

Maybe he can’t make the same impact at PF becuase he has played center his entire life? PF is also a less impactful position than center defensively. IDK why you’re hating so hard, he was drafted to be a defensive anchor and a finisher on offense (the last 22 games he’s at 59% FGs over that span). He’s proven he could excel at both. He’s not a player you ask to go create his own buckets. On a team as horrific as Philly, his flaws are more noticeable because of the lack of talent surrounding him.

[CobraParticipant]

Maybe he can’t make the same impact at PF becuase he has played center his entire life? PF is also a less impactful position than center defensively. IDK why you’re hating so hard, he was drafted to be a defensive anchor and a finisher on offense (the last 22 games he’s at 59% FGs over that span). He’s proven he could excel at both. He’s not a player you ask to go create his own buckets. On a team as horrific as Philly, his flaws are more noticeable because of the lack of talent surrounding him.

[GBeeParticipant]

 Then why does he suck as a PF? Why all this talk about how he struggles defending stretches and how he HAS to be a C?  That’s all I hear from the Noel excuse makers. IMO the reason why he has not nearly been as effective defending as a 4 is because he can’t just sit his ass in the paint and react, making shorter rotations.

His discipline sucks which is why he reaches so much.  While the successful pokes show up as steals in the boxscore, what doesn’t show up in the box is when he reaches and gives up position or compromises the back line of the defense.  Same goes for when he hunts blocks and fails.  His fundamentals are poor and he gets rag dolled in the post because hes built like a female.

Offensively he has proven to have a very poor feel for the game, no touch, no moves, bad hands and can only function in the finishing capacity.  His passing is ok, but he attempts some really awkward stuff, like odd entries from bad angles and dump offs.  I would never trust him as a passing hub because of how poor he is offensively being weak with the ball and having a stramge feel for the game.  He is zero threat catching the ball when not in a position to dunk.

 

 

 

 

[CobraParticipant]

Such garbage you have been typing. His abilily to guard in space makes him one of the most versatile defensive big men in the NBA. He could switch out on any position and hold his own for a few seconds at the end of shot clocks and regularly blows up opponents pick and rolls. He usually picks the pocket of people trying to drive on him, even guards. That’s an ability very few centers have. Most of the time he’s out there with four teammates making mistakes and blowing assignments leaving him to clean it all up. He alters offensive game plans when he’s at center. Less shots are attempted in the paint just due to his presence. He’s an amazing defensive talent. Incredible physical gifts + mental gifts. Offensively he has proven to be an efficient scorer in a Deandre Jordan type of role, and unlike Deandre, Noel is a much better free throw shooter and has good passing vision, due to aforementioned high IQ.

[CrossyboyParticipant]

 I would say that Okafor can pass out of the post. The problem with Philly is that he had nothing to pass to. He definitely showed he could do it at Duke.

P.S.: Apologies for the auto-correct typo title.

 

 

[CrossyboyParticipant]

 I would say that Okafor can pass out of the post. The problem with Philly is that he had nothing to pass to. He definitely showed he could do it at Duke.

P.S.: Apologies for the auto-correct typo title.

 

 

[Anton123Participant]

I love Okafor, he’s improving in his defence and offensive efficiency, and his passig will get better when he has someone to pass to and Philly runs some better offensive sets through him.

However, trading Okafor has its logic, Philly has 4 prospects (Okafor, Embiid, Noel, Saric) and they’re all 5s and 4s, though if Embiid doesn’t work out they will feel terribly foolish as Noel and Saric look like a pretty mediocre pair of big men. 

Anyway, if they do decide to trade Okafor, I think they could do it on draft day with Boston, Boston has players AND draft picks, getting Avery Bradley, one of Boston’s big men and a first round pick could be a possibility.

[Anton123Participant]

I love Okafor, he’s improving in his defence and offensive efficiency, and his passig will get better when he has someone to pass to and Philly runs some better offensive sets through him.

However, trading Okafor has its logic, Philly has 4 prospects (Okafor, Embiid, Noel, Saric) and they’re all 5s and 4s, though if Embiid doesn’t work out they will feel terribly foolish as Noel and Saric look like a pretty mediocre pair of big men. 

Anyway, if they do decide to trade Okafor, I think they could do it on draft day with Boston, Boston has players AND draft picks, getting Avery Bradley, one of Boston’s big men and a first round pick could be a possibility.

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 yall have got to get it through your heads that the Sixers will have to wait until they see what they have in Embiid for a season before they trade ANY of their lottery pick bigs. This should be common sense…

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 yall have got to get it through your heads that the Sixers will have to wait until they see what they have in Embiid for a season before they trade ANY of their lottery pick bigs. This should be common sense…

[CrossyboyParticipant]

 Even if Embiid doesn’t pan out, they need to resolve the Noel/Okafor situation sooner rather than later, especially with Saric coming in. It is already a problem and only going to get worse by next year’s draft.

This may be one of the few drafts where Philly may benefit from trading down if they get the top pick. Way too early to really comment, but if Simmons remains the consensus No1, then trading down for  Jaylen Brown and additional assets makes sense.

 

 

[CrossyboyParticipant]

 Even if Embiid doesn’t pan out, they need to resolve the Noel/Okafor situation sooner rather than later, especially with Saric coming in. It is already a problem and only going to get worse by next year’s draft.

This may be one of the few drafts where Philly may benefit from trading down if they get the top pick. Way too early to really comment, but if Simmons remains the consensus No1, then trading down for  Jaylen Brown and additional assets makes sense.

 

 

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 Did you guys see last nights game?  Okafor scored 17 in the first quarter and was completely unstoppable.  Noels had a great defensive outing and the Sixers routed the Blazers.

 

Okafor just turned 20 and u can argue hes already the best low post scorer in the league.  You dont just trade that away.  Hes as rare a prospect as they come.

 

 

 

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 Did you guys see last nights game?  Okafor scored 17 in the first quarter and was completely unstoppable.  Noels had a great defensive outing and the Sixers routed the Blazers.

 

Okafor just turned 20 and u can argue hes already the best low post scorer in the league.  You dont just trade that away.  Hes as rare a prospect as they come.

 

 

 

[MJBrownParticipant]

agreed. Its hard to knock a teenager who can score so easily in the post. Most players that come in to the league are strong offensively or defensively. If the player becomes a start, its because the other one caught up. With the right coaching and work ethic, Okafor has a chance to be really really good

[MJBrownParticipant]

agreed. Its hard to knock a teenager who can score so easily in the post. Most players that come in to the league are strong offensively or defensively. If the player becomes a start, its because the other one caught up. With the right coaching and work ethic, Okafor has a chance to be really really good

[ballislyfe25Participant]

Russell is a poor fit alongside Clarkson and stuck in Kobe’s shadow? Have you watched Russell play lately? This kid could be averaging 20 points per game on efficient shooting within 3 seasons. He is 19 years old and actually plays well with Clarkson, Randle, Nance, etc. 

I’m a Lakers fan and would strongly oppose trading Russell for Okafor. Absolutely no reason to break up the youth in LA.

 

[ballislyfe25Participant]

Russell is a poor fit alongside Clarkson and stuck in Kobe’s shadow? Have you watched Russell play lately? This kid could be averaging 20 points per game on efficient shooting within 3 seasons. He is 19 years old and actually plays well with Clarkson, Randle, Nance, etc. 

I’m a Lakers fan and would strongly oppose trading Russell for Okafor. Absolutely no reason to break up the youth in LA.

 

[DrivingDownTheStreetinmy64]

 Who Is Phillip???????

[DrivingDownTheStreetinmy64]

 Who Is Phillip???????

[CrossyboyParticipant]

 Agree on your assessment of Russell, which is precisely why now would be the time to trade for him, before Okafor gets caught in a logjam and Kobe retires. Not saying Lakers would do it, but it would be worth a go. I think the Lakers front office may be persuaded.

[CrossyboyParticipant]

 Agree on your assessment of Russell, which is precisely why now would be the time to trade for him, before Okafor gets caught in a logjam and Kobe retires. Not saying Lakers would do it, but it would be worth a go. I think the Lakers front office may be persuaded.

[ballislyfe25Participant]

It makes some sense for the Sixers only. The Lakers and their front office would be persuaded in no way to make this trade. Ownership may be a little messy but Mitch Kupchak is a component, high-level general manager. If they wanted Okafor they would have drafted him, not pass on him and then trade the player they coveted all along for Okafor after 40 games.

[ballislyfe25Participant]

It makes some sense for the Sixers only. The Lakers and their front office would be persuaded in no way to make this trade. Ownership may be a little messy but Mitch Kupchak is a component, high-level general manager. If they wanted Okafor they would have drafted him, not pass on him and then trade the player they coveted all along for Okafor after 40 games.

[CobraParticipant]

One thing to think about Okafor is not only doesn’t he fit with Noel, he’s not going to fit with Embiid or Saric. He also won’t fit with Simmons if the Sixers get him. He’s talented, but extremely difficult to build around. Which leads to the question is it worth gutting your roster of all your other high end talent to build around a player that’s most likely going to fall into the Al Jefferson/Enes Kanter/Greg Monroe category?

[CobraParticipant]

One thing to think about Okafor is not only doesn’t he fit with Noel, he’s not going to fit with Embiid or Saric. He also won’t fit with Simmons if the Sixers get him. He’s talented, but extremely difficult to build around. Which leads to the question is it worth gutting your roster of all your other high end talent to build around a player that’s most likely going to fall into the Al Jefferson/Enes Kanter/Greg Monroe category?

[CrossyboyParticipant]

 To go back to the original post, are there any teams who would be interested in Okafor and if so, what could they offer to tempt the 76ers?

[CrossyboyParticipant]

 To go back to the original post, are there any teams who would be interested in Okafor and if so, what could they offer to tempt the 76ers?

[Mad MaxParticipant]

 Would any of the other 29 teams be interested in a 20 year old rookie averaging 17 ppg and 7 rpg and is already one of the best interior scorers, still improving and on a cheap rookie deal????????

 

Nah, 76ers would be lucky to get a washing machine.

 

 

[Mad MaxParticipant]

 Would any of the other 29 teams be interested in a 20 year old rookie averaging 17 ppg and 7 rpg and is already one of the best interior scorers, still improving and on a cheap rookie deal????????

 

Nah, 76ers would be lucky to get a washing machine.

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 How much could Philly get for Okafor? How much could they get for Embiid? 

If its even close, trade Embiid. 

It’s incredible how people can say "Okafor doesn’t fit, he’s putting up empty points, his style is not how the NBA is going" then in the next sentance say "Lets trade him for a top-5 pick, or lets get X, Y and Z players!" 

People assuming Okafor is a finished product are not seeing clearly. 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 How much could Philly get for Okafor? How much could they get for Embiid? 

If its even close, trade Embiid. 

It’s incredible how people can say "Okafor doesn’t fit, he’s putting up empty points, his style is not how the NBA is going" then in the next sentance say "Lets trade him for a top-5 pick, or lets get X, Y and Z players!" 

People assuming Okafor is a finished product are not seeing clearly. 

 

 

 

 

[Author]

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