The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Jahlil Okafor, 3rd For 1st. Waddya Say, Boston?

By Bret Stuter

Jan 5, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge (left) speaks to fans during the first half of a game between the Providence Friars and the Marquette Golden Eagles at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge (left) speaks to fans during the first half of a game between the Providence Friars and the Marquette Golden Eagles at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) reacts against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) reacts against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Now for the player component

The only trade chip which the Philadelphia 76ers would part with and the Boston Celtics had expressed interest in previously is center Jahlil Okafor. If you are one of many fans who views Jahlil Okafor’s value in the range of snack foods, stop reading.

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    • He is a truly talented basketball player out of his natural element.  He plays back to basket post game offense, much like the old school version of yesteryear. In fact, he is a much better fit in the Boston Celtics.

    Michael DePrisco argued that point persuasively in his article over at Hardwood Houdini.  While he isn’t all in on Okafor, he argues the point that Okafor brings need big body offense to the team. The other major point is that salary cap flexibility.

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    Adding Okafor gives the Celtics options to deal Horford in the hopes of landing another big ticket player.  If the Celtics don’t deal Horford, Okafor becomes a great 6th man option to kick start the Celtics scoring.

    Boston doesn’t need spacers for Okafor. The team average of 37.0 percent from three-point range is sixth best in the NBA.   That clears plenty of room out of the paint for big man to operate.

    Now about this trade. In the exchange, Jahlil Okafor is contributing the value of a high second round draft pick. Not  his round one third pick of the 2015 NBA Draft origination. And he’s a player who scores double digits in the NBA on a bad lineup.

    In fact, it’s out there now. At least until draft night. Once the picks are made, it’s highly unlikely any deals will be made between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics.