Philadelphia 76ers Rumors: Can Celtics Offer a Good Trade?

The Philadelphia 76ers are talking with the Boston Celtics about a potential trade. But can the Celtics even offer a good deal?

Monday night was full of NBA Draft and trade talk for the Philadelphia 76ers. Multiple reports came out that said the Philadelphia 76ers were talking to the New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics, and that the Sixers were looking to get a pick that could land them Kris Dunn.

Dunn is a possible answer to the Sixers’ point guard woes. Having a solid starting point guard that can facilitate the offense as well as score is something the Sixers have been lacking for years, and Dunn could offer that.

The Boston Celtics have been linked to the Sixers in trade talks dating back to this year’s trade deadline. The Celtics were reportedly very interested in getting Jahlil Okafor, and are likely looking to gain him leading up to this year’s draft. If they could do that, it could be worth giving away their third overall draft pick.

More from The Sixer Sense

But could the Celtics even offer enough in return for Okafor?

Some might say that giving up Okafor for the third overall pick is a fair deal. I don’t believe so. Okafor was the third overall pick last season, and did enough this year to even make himself a second overall pick in that draft. In this year’s draft, I believe he is worth the second overall pick at least, and some could even argue that he’d be worth the first.

So, the Sixers should refuse a third overall pick straight up for Okafor, but could the Celtics throw anything in the package to sweeten the deal and make it worth it for Philly?

One of the biggest things the Sixers will need is 3-point shooters, and there isn’t a lot of 3-point talent that the Celtics will be able to offer in return for Okafor. Kelly Olynyk hit 40.5 percent of his 3-point shots on the season, but he is a center, thus not clearing the logjam in the frontcourt effectively (which is the whole goal of moving Okafor).

Additionally, Olynyk only scored 10.0 points per game last year for Boston, not making up for what Okafor was able to do last season in the slightest.

Jonas Jerebko was a solid force from the 3-point zone this season, hitting 39.8 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. He only scored 10.4 points per 36 minutes, though.

In order to make this a good trade, I would assume that Boston would have to throw in a future first-round pick for Okafor, since they don’t have very many players that are able to make up for Okafor. Since they would be giving up the third overall pick for him, however, they may not have to give up a huge player. So someone like Jerebko could be an option.

Looking at this potential trade, I see no fair outcome for the Sixers. The Celtics, knowing that Philly wants to get rid of a big man, and knowing that they want Dunn, are able to get out of this trade with a steal.

What’s quite unfortunate is that there was a chance the Sixers could have gotten the first overall pick and the fourth overall pick, if the Los Angeles Lakers pick fell to fourth overall (it was top three protected). In this scenario, the Sixers could have potentially gotten Simmons and Dunn without having to give up Okafor.

Next: NBA Draft: Top 5 Draft Prospects

I’m still in the camp of “don’t trade anybody.” Let this season play out, and then see who is best to keep around and who is best to move. Next year’s draft is full of point guards that are as good as or better than Dunn.

Philadelphia 76ers Rumors: Are the Boston Celtics a Good Trade Suitor?

By Josh Wilson | Jun 20, 2016

The Philadelphia 76ers are talking with the Boston Celtics about a potential trade. But can the Celtics even offer a good deal?

More from The Sixer Sense