The Sixer Sense
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Jahlil Okafor Tomorrow Trade Still Not Happening. 5 Reasons Bryan Colangelo Taking His Time.

By Bret Stuter

Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (R) and President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo (M) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (L) during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (R) and President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo (M) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (L) during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and center Joel Embiid react in the closing seconds of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and center Joel Embiid react in the closing seconds of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Reason V: Jahlil Okafor Insures Team Progress If Joel Embiid Health Falters

The team may have had a change of heart about moving Jahlil Okafor so quickly.  You see, in recent days, we have learned that Joel Embiid is suffering from both a bone bruise and a partially torn meniscus.  The problem is not just the fact that the franchise making star rookie center is banged up, but that the news came from Derek Bodner, and NOT from the team itself.

Bryan Colangelo touted transparency, openness, straight talk and has delivered none of these things so far.  Now, with the prospect of Joel Embiid’s knee in question, are the Philadelphia 76ers dragging their heels to keep Jahlil Okafor around as an insurance policy?

Deja Vu Again?

A Meniscus tear, much like a tear in fabric, can be very minor or major.  Jahlil Okafor suffered a meniscus tear this time last year and was shut down for the season.  Joel Embiid is now suffering from a meniscus tear.  This one, however, is thought to be very minor and will heal on it’s own over time.

But… that knee is still swelling when he hits the court

And so here we are again. A rookie center with a swelling knee that was originally reported to be minor.  Will the team shut down Embiid as it did Okafor a year ago?

Team Needs Certainty

The reality is that the team is standing on uncertainty at the center position, not overcrowding or certainty. Having made no concrete moves yet, the team appears to prepared to part with Nerlens Noel.

The team has played Joel Embiid in just 31 of 55 games so far.  Even when playing, Embiid is only up to 25.4 minutes per game.  The team, in the final stages of trading Jahlil Okafor, may be looking at Richaun Holmes as a starting center in some games next season, or Dario Saric, or Ersan Ilyasova.

Next: Jrue Holiday Should Not be Deal Breaker for Sixers

In the end, the fans may not be able to trust what the team is saying. But it appears the Philadelphia 76ers do not trust themselves.  In the end, trading Jahlil Okafor brings closure to the Sam Hinkie era.  But that may not be something Bryan Colangelo is comfortable doing.