Philadelphia 76ers Parting of Ways: Part II Jahlil Okafor

The Philadelphia 76ers are a young team with huge potential. But in the quest for something better, the fans learn they must surrender someone good. Today, that someone is Jahlil Okafor. Let’s focus on the big picture

The Philadelphia 76ers have reached the next parting of ways with a selfless player. The first departure happened with the trade of center Nerlens Noel. Now, the second departure is unfolding before our very eyes. Soon, the team will experience a third departure, likely Nik Stauskas. And so on and so on, as the vision of what this team should be is now from the eyes of Bryan Colangelo.

The trend began with the trade of center Nerlens Noel in 2017. That trade did not exactly reap a treasure trove of assets.  In fact, the trade of Noel required the Philadelphia 76ers to absorb the overpaid contract of Andrew Bogut, accept a heavily protected 2017 first round pick (1-18 protected), and the services of wing Justin Anderson. By the way, that 2017 first converted into  2017 and 2020 second round picks.

Post-Trade Analysis of Noel deal

Analyzing the trade, most of the value of the deal must be allocated to the willingness of the Sixers to accept Bogut. Factoring out that impact, the 76ers ended up with nearly a portion, or one future second round pick, for Nerlens Noel. And that marked the turn in the road.

There is no doubt now. For all of the hopes of the “just keep it going”, the turn is obvious.  The team had surplus picks in the 2017 NBA Draft.  Two picks, numbers 39 and 46, were sold outright.

But that wasn’t the way the Process is supposed to work, is it? The premise of this process is that errors DO happen, and that the only way to continue advancing is to ensure overlap of talent, fill the pipeline with as much talent as possible, buy low and sell high.

Anti Process Process

But folks, in the last three major events impacting the Philadelphia 76ers roster, the team sold low, and the team shed talent from the pipeline. How significant is that?  Perhaps not at all. But we will discuss that.

You see, the focus right now is the corner that the Philadelphia 76ers management has painted themselves into with the current mishandling of Jahlil Okafor. The problem? The willingness of the powers-that-be to show their hand so readily.

From “logjam narrative” to “must trade someone” talk, it’s been a virtual neon sign shouting “FIRE SALE” to the rest of the NBA.  All the while, the perception remained that someone would pick up the phone eager to deal trade picks and quality veteran talent for the chance at hitting a home run with the center the Philadelphia 76ers front office was all too happy to part ways with.

The more we’re slip sliding away

Still, some deals did get close over the past two or three years.  There was the Boston deal that mysteriously fell through in Jahlil Okafor’s rookie season. Celtics sources suggest it was a package of Marcus Smart and the Brooklyn Nets first round pick (3) for Okafor. Logic suggests it was vetoed by then team executive Jerry Colangelo.

Another trade got close enough for the team to pull Jahlil Okafor out of the 2016-2017 rotation. But once more, the deal fell through. Reports surfaced that Jahlil Okafor failed the physical of the new team. While the team has had no filter withholding their strategy with the roster, the same front office has swept medical matters into the “sore” category for months.

In a recent interview with Jessica Camerato, Jahlil Okafor acknowledges the existence of trade offers that both he and his agent know about. But the offers do not meet Bryan Colangelo’s asking price. So… no deal.

The value of Nerlens Noel fell to next to nothing as a result. The value of Jahlil Okafor is falling to nothing as a result as well.

Frustrated Okafor just wants to play

There is a very understandable frustrated center sitting on the bench now. And for good reason. He is in the best shape of his life, and he “gets it” now. Offense is not enough. His play (what little there is) has shown significant promise that he is capable of rounding out his play. And with a better than 14 points per game average, it stands to reason that Jahlil Okafor should be playing somewhere.

But he won’t play in Philly. Head coach Brett Brown has the roster from Bryan Colangelo. That rotation has no spot for an offensive oriented center.

So what is the problem? The same front office who doesn’t want Okafor playing in a 76ers jersey doesn’t want him playing elsewhere either. He knows the young man is very talented, and is now very very motivated.

Next: Jahlil Okafor: My wish for you

Teams have made offers and will continue to do so.  I cannot believe the Philadelphia 76ers do not have ten minutes to throw Jahlil Okafor’s way.  But with the way the 76ers have screwed this one up, it won’t matter.  Okafor will land on a team and earn a starting role.

He has more than a paycheck to motivate him now.