Philadelphia 76ers: Victor Oladipo for Jahlil Okafor In Three Team Trade

The Philadelphia 76ers haves two major objectives this off season. A three team trade that involves Jahlil Okafor for Victor Oladipo will accomplish both.

It is evident that Jahlil Okafor’s time with the Philadelphia 76ers has ended. The question becomes where do the Sixers trade the talented big man. One destination could be a western conference team that struggled and lost their first round playoff series. The Oklahoma City Thunder could be a potential landing spot for the former Duke center.

Why The Thunder Need A Reboot

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What is the Thunder’s  logic for wanting Okafor? On one hand, they already do have an established starting and back up center. Steven Adams is a long term piece on the Thunder’s roster. On the other hand, however, back up center Enes Kanter is not untouchable.

Their playoff match against the Rockets proved he cannot be trusted defensively. His salary cap impact is about 17 million on the books.

Think about it like this. The Thunder are close to the meeting the NBA salary cap right now with about 91,000,000 and with Russell Westbrook contract extension coming up they will be well over that cap limit. Yes, the cap is expected to increase but they will still be going over the limit. Teams can only go over the cap for their own players.

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The Thunder, however, do have a problem. On one hand, they have already maxed out their talent with their current players. If they want to improve the roster they will have bring in new talent.

On the other hand, with their current salary cap situation they cannot bring in a heavy hitter. Another option would be the draft, but how the team is currently constructed they will never get a pick worth much value.

Okafor being traded can solve all their problems. Here’s how, Okafor can easily duplicate Kanter’s production for the team at a much cheaper rate. Allowing the Thunder to pay another free agent.

Philadelphia 76ers fans do not fear, I am not suggesting the Sixers take Kanter back. Actually a three team trade will work the best in this situation. Here is a possible trade constructed on ESPN Trade machine; so no draft picks will be included. Below will illustrate what the trade would look like with picks.

The Trade

Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Victor Oladipo

Brooklyn Nets Receive: Enes Kanter,  Two 2017 second round picks from the Sixers

Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Trevor Booker, Gerald Henderson, Jahlil Okafor, either Lakers pick this year (if it conveys) or the Philadelphia 76ers 2018 first round pick (Top 12 Protected)

Why Each Team Does This

There are two main reasons why the Philadelphia 76ers do this trade. First it finals relieves fans, players, coaches, and organization of Jahlil Okafor. Not to say that Okafor is a bad person or even a bad player, but it is clear that Okafor is not going to thrive with the Sixers for a multitude of reasons. Most of which are not his fault.

The second reason why is that Victor Oladipo could be the answer as a long term combo guard option next to point forward Ben Simmons. He can defend both guard positions and can create enough for other to compliment Simmons’ play making skills. The only knock is his shooting.

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/3/2017.

He may never be a great shooter, but Brett Brown’s track record of optimizing player’s shots give room for optimixm. The Philadelphia 76ers have plenty of cap space so his contract will not majorly affect the team’s long term flexibility.

Net Assets

The Nets are in a major rebuild right and need draft picks to do so. On one hand, the Nets are low on those thanks to the crafty Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge. He acquired most of the Nets first round picks when the Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett trade occurred. Kanter is still young and can either be a building block or a trade piece for the Nets. Philadelphia 76ers two second round picks are rather valuable in the 2017 NBA Draft.

All the Nets have to do is give up a power forward/center that fell out of rotation towards the end of last season. Honestly, the Nets probably win the most in this trade.

In fact, the Thunder get younger and land a higher upside scoring center in Okafor for a cheaper price. On top of that, Henderson is a solid veteran who has nearly the same skillsets as Oladipo.  But as is the case in many trades, Henderson’s ceiling is reached sooner.. The Thunder will also get a solid back up in Booker as well. But the ultimate prize is major salary cap relief to sign a major free agent, such as Oklahoma native Blake Griffin.

Fishing the Lake

If the Philadelphia 76ers are in the top two or three for the lottery and get the Lakers pick in this draft, then trading the Lakers pick will not hurt the Sixers. The Thunder will push hard for the a first rounder in this year’s draft.   They need help for Westbrook make another run as soon as possible.  Conversely, the Philadelphia 76ers gain the upper hand to convince the Thunder that the protected first rounder next draft is the better deal.  Valuing draft picks are the trickiest part of any NBA exchange.  The valuation of picks in this deal will be the pieces that will make or break its feasibility

Next: Philadelphia 76ers Should Target Cunningham In Free Agency

This deal can benefit all three participating teams with a win win win scenario. This draft day deal could be a big time deal if executed.