The Sixer Sense
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Okafor Should Still be Moved Despite Rumors

By Ethan Piechota

Oct 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Jahlil Okafor (right) watch from the bench during the final minutes of a game against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center. The Utah Jazz won 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Jahlil Okafor (right) watch from the bench during the final minutes of a game against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center. The Utah Jazz won 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia 76ers have an overload of big men on their roster. The question is, will they move Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor? Who has more value?

A main topic of discussion among the Philadelphia 76ers this season is when and will the team trade big men Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel? Both Okafor and Noel give the Sixers different aspects and display qualities that are promising. With the emergence of Joel Embiid, the future is locked up at the starting center position.

Okafor and Noel’s play styles do not look like they are able to play alongside Joel in the front court. So, who will fit better in terms of production and need in the future plans of the Sixers?

Noel is a solid defender and shot-blocker, which is extremely valuable for a big man playing behind Embiid. Okafor does not give the same level of defensive rebounding and rim protecting that Noel has shown to display. However, on the offensive side of the ball, Jahlil is a strong inside scorer and has a decent post up game. Nerlens still has yet to develop any form of a jump shot and has obvious flaws on the offensive side of the ball. With those basic breakdowns and descriptions of each big’s game in mind, who do the 76ers move?

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Ultimately, even though it is rumored that Noel is the more likely of the two to move, he is the better option for the 76ers to keep. This is mainly because of his ability to defend and solid rebounding.

He can get up and down the court fast and move in transition beacuse of his athleticism, and is a better compliment to Embiid than Okafor is. Also, looking into the potential future of the 76ers second unit which could contain offensive minded players in Dario Saric, Sergio Rodriguez, and possibly Ersan Ilyasova, the 76ers need defensive reinforcements within the second unit. They don’t get that with Jahlil Okafor.

Okafor’s Value

If the 76ers do indeed try to move Jahlil Okafor and keep Nerlens, what kind of value does Jah have to other teams? He is a solid scorer and can rebound, but does his style of play still translate to the current dynamic of Centers and Power Forwards in the NBA? His value has definetly decreased from last year, where his numbers of 17.5 points per game and 7 rebounds per game and a field goal percentage of around 50. Teams could still use Jahlil.

For example, a team such as the Golden State Warriors could use Okafor in their championship push, as they lack a solid big as of now. If, by chance, the 76ers could move Okafor to Golden State, a young guard like Patrick McCaw would be ideal in return.

Another possible landing spot for Jahlil could be the Boston Celtics, who are thin in the front court with Al Horford and the injury to Jared Sullinger. They could use Jahlil to compliment Horford, and ship away a low risk, possible high rewarding guard in Marcus Smart.

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Again, trade rumors for both Jahlil and Nerlens are almost all speculation as of now. It would be extremely nice to see the 76ers move one of the bigs, preferably Jah, but it will be interesting to see how things work out. I mean, you can’t keep 3 centers on the roster and play them all, can you?