Sixer Sense Mailbag: Taking Jahlil Okafor, and More NBA Draft

Did you miss me? Time for another Sixers mailbag. With the 2015 NBA Draft being a few weeks away most of the discussion is centered on that. Well, all of the discussion is focused on that. Sixers fans are starting to get that draft itch that won’t be relieved until June 25.

As always, remember to hit us up on Twitter @SixerSense to submit questions for the mailbag. I’ll make these happen as often as I can.

NEVER.

This is technically two questions, so let’s get to the first question: Will the Lakers pick be traded this year? There’s definitely a chance. If Sam Hinkie wants to move back into the lottery, the Lakers pick might have to be traded away. It’s hard to trade picks that aren’t stuck in a place, especially when no one knows what the Lakers record will look like next season. I’d say the chance the pick is traded is 20 percent.

Part two: Do the Sixers take Jahlil Okafor if D’Angelo Russell is taken at No. 2?

Without a doubt, 100 percent of the time. But, I wouldn’t keep him. Picking Okafor is the right move, because you know a team like the Knicks (who have the fourth pick) will give up a ransom for his services. You could trade back a spot, pick up a valuable player/pick and still get the player you want. It’s a win-win.

The Sixers have five second-round picks, so it’s hard to pick one player they’ll pick. But, I do like them nabbing Rakeem Christmas from Syracuse, who had a terrific season averaging 17.5 points and nine rebounds. Christmas has a 7’5.25″ wingspan and averaged 2.5 blocks per game last year, so it’s easy to see the fit. He’s a beast in transition and could come in as a nice rim protector. There’s a lot of value in him with the No. 35 or No. 37 picks.

If you agree that the Sixers are building around Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel, than D’Angelo Russell is the better fit, without the doubt. The Sixers are trying to install a pace-and-space offense — well they already have, they just need the players. Russell shot over 40 percent from deep at OSU which fits perfectly, while Mudiay’s biggest question is his jumper. Pretty obvious the better fit is Russell.

Sure, I don’t see why not. If he works hard at his craft, he has the talent to be a 20-8 type of player. A lot of his success will be contingent on him developing a right hand and finishing better at the rim.

That I HAVE to have? Hmmm…I don’t think there are any I’d have to have. But, I’ll play along. I’d like to trade back into the first for Rashad Vaughn out of UNLV. He has decent height at 6’5″ and shot 38 percent from three on over six attempts per contest. If I’m trading back into the first, I’m most likely looking for a shooter. He’s only 18-years-old and can score from multiple areas on the floor and provides more than a catch-and-shoot skill set.

Wow, this is a very interesting question. Really depends on what picks the Sixers are trading and the protections on them. If you can protect those picks 1-5 or 1-8 for the next year or two, than I’d definitely do that. Especially if you have the Lakers/Heat pick to fall back on for the next few years.

So, I definitely need to know the protections on the picks being sent, but if there were some light protections, I’d be down for this trade.