Philadelphia 76ers Cannot Trade Up In NBA Draft Despite Fit

By Bret Stuter | May 27, 2017

Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie (L) listens as owner Joshua Harris (M) introduces Jerry Colangelo (R) as special advisor before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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That Nefarious Center Logjam

That third pick would be the most contentious, hotly debated selection in modern Philadelphia 76ers history. The choice of course was Duke center Jahlil Okafor, a strong throwback back-to-the-basket center who joined a nebulous Philadelphia 76ers roster at its lowest point. The team had center/power forward Nerlens Noel, and the team had rehabbing center Joel Embiid.

Center Jahlil Okafor joined the 2015 roster and proceeded to raise eyebrows and turn heads with his offensive mastery of playing in the paint. Future looking president Sam Hinkie seemed to have landed a star, but he failed to see his own future. While Hinkie may have planned to trade Okafor at the trade deadline, he was overthrown by the team’s hiring of sage consultant Jerry Colangelo. Colangelo froze all team transactions in preparation for his son, Bryan Colangelo, to take over the team.

We’ll never know the true plan for Jahlil Okafor, as Hinkie found himself powerless to effect any trades.