OT: For Sixers fans, Pelicans near trade for Okafor

[Lion8286]

The New Orleans Pelicans are trying to bolster their frontcourt by completing a trade for Philadelphia 76ers ‎big man Jahlil Okafor, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that the teams were in advanced ‎talks Monday in an attempt to complete the trade.

Philadelphia, sources said, is seeking a future first-round pick in exchange ‎for Okafor, who was selected No. 2 overall in the 2015 draft but has been on the trading block for months -- along with fellow Sixers center Nerlens Noel -- as a result of the Sixers' glut of big men.

The Pelicans, meanwhile, have discussed sending disgruntled center Alexis Ajinca and a future first-round pick to the Sixers, but details have not been finalized.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18633040/pelicans-trade-acquire-center-jahlil-okafor-sixers

 

[WestSideLion]

This is interesting. I had no idea how bad Okafor's real plus-minus was per 100 possessions. Even when he's scoring like he is tonight, the Sixers aren't a good team.

That says a lot about what they're likely to get for him in a trade. At this point, I'd hang onto him in the event he turns it around. A mid-level first rounder won't get them anywhere.

 

[Nitwit]

He is of no use to the team, barring injury to Embid. Nerlins is a much better fit as the reserve center. Trading for a mid first round pick could get you a good bench player and outside shooter, or coupled with other first round picks in next year's draft allow them to move up and get a star player. This trade is a win win for both teams.

 

[harjeff]

Make the trade as he isn't going to be playing much in Philly with Embid, Saric and Simmons being the core going forward along with a top star or 2 from this years draft.

Remember the Sixers are flush with draft options this year

Get Lakers pick...top 3 protected....Hope they get 4 in the lottery!
Their pick or swap with Sacramento, whichever is higher

Lots of good guard options in the draft this year that could really round out the team and make them contenders for many years.

 

[Cletus11]

Tough to look at a #2 pick and trading him mid way through his second year for a mid 1st round pick. Basically admitting that you screwed up. But Okafur ceiling to me looks like a high volume shooter-scorer on a bad team. Kind of guy who is a 18-8 type player on a perennial bad team as he needs a lot of shots to score and doesn't play much defense or create any shots for anybody else. Maybe in 5 or 6 years from now when Okafur has matured some and worked on his game, he will be a different player. ANd that isn't what the Sixers need right now. So trade him for whatever you can get and move forward with Embid-Simmons-Saric.

 

[bmw199]

The rumor is that it is a '18 pick coming back not a '17. Later is my preference bc even if it is like top ten protected in '18 then maybe drop it to top 5 or 2 in '19. Getting picks further down the road will be more premium later when some of these guys start getting to their 2nd contracts.

 

[dawgduice]

The funniest thing is that if Okafor was coming out this year he would be the number 1 pick. But, the 76ers need to make move so have to take the chance the Pelicans will be pretty bad next year in order to get some real value for Okafor. I really think he will be very good in the long run. His defense will get better. Keep in mind he is only in year two. He can learn positional defense. On the other hand Noel will never be a scorer. But, he is a better backup to Embiid as a "rim protector" (see: will not be disgruntled as a career sub). Okafor is to good to be second string, hence his REAL value.

 

[jmorovich]

The pelicans are a great fit for him. Davis is a stretch 4 who plays great D and can back him up on that end. They can toss it down to him and have Davis play opposite wing or elbow and crash on a shot. Davis isn't a back to the basket player. He will
play well with Jah on the box.

I don't understand the big man in return. Was hoping for a guard (wishing for Hield). Talks of possibly getting another team involved.

 

[Cletus11]

I thought Nerlens said he doesn't want to be a back-up.

 

[WestSideLion]

The pelicans are a great fit for him. Davis is a stretch 4 who plays great D and can back him up on that end. They can toss it down to him and have Davis play opposite wing or elbow and crash on a shot. Davis isn't a back to the basket player. He will
play well with Jah on the box.

I don't understand the big man in return. Was hoping for a guard (wishing for Hield). Talks of possibly getting another team involved.

I believe the big man in return is for cap reasons. The Sixers will just eat that contract because they can.

 

[harjeff]

The pelicans are a great fit for him. Davis is a stretch 4 who plays great D and can back him up on that end. They can toss it down to him and have Davis play opposite wing or elbow and crash on a shot. Davis isn't a back to the basket player. He will
play well with Jah on the box.

I don't understand the big man in return. Was hoping for a guard (wishing for Hield). Talks of possibly getting another team involved.

Heild would be GREAT!! I do agree a guard would be a better fit either E'Twaun Moore or Langston Galloway would be a better fit for the sixers immediate needs. Jrue Holiday would be best, but they would never part with him.

 

[bmw199]

Jrue Holiday would be best, but they would never part with him.

He is a free agent this offseason. The Sixers really want him back. It was rumored to be the reason for the hold up this morning. Apparently the other team is being brought in bc some of the Sixers other assets (assuming it's Holmes or Illyslova) don't match up with NO needs as a compensation for Holiday.

 

[greenmanRD]

The funniest thing is that if Okafor was coming out this year he would be the number 1 pick. But, the 76ers need to make move so have to take the chance the Pelicans will be pretty bad next year in order to get some real value for Okafor. I really think he will be very good in the long run. His defense will get better. Keep in mind he is only in year two. He can learn positional defense. On the other hand Noel will never be a scorer. But, he is a better backup to Embiid as a "rim protector" (see: will not be disgruntled as a career sub). Okafor is to good to be second string, hence his REAL value.

Okafor would not be the number 1 pick this year.