After years and years of compiling draft picks, often trading talented young guys in their second or third seasons for more picks, it finally appears that the Philadelphia 76ers are going to invest their time in actual players.
Or, so we thought.
According to The Ringer's Bill Simmons, the Boston Celtics, who have the third overall pick in this year's NBA draft, are going to make a run at last year's number three pick, Jahlil Okafor.
“I think the guy they’re going to trade for is Okafor,” Simmons told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich” on Wednesay.
Simmons makes an interesting case for why the Sixers should, and would, consider it.
“That almost happened in February. And if you think about it, it makes a ton of sense for Philly. … They basically spent all these high lottery picks on big guys — Nerlens Noel, (Joel) Embiid … and then last year Okafor. And meanwhile the league’s gone small, and you need perimeter guys to win in the NBA.
“If you’re Philly, first of all if you put Ben Simmons with any of those guys, it doesn’t really make sense. Ben Simmons can’t shoot. He’s probably a stretch-four in the NBA and he can’t shoot, which makes him just a four. And you already have a bunch of guys who can’t shoot. So I think if you’re Philly, I just think it makes sense to trade Okafor for (the No. 3 pick) … and Philly could take Jamaal Murray at (No. 3), and they could take Ingram or Simmons at (No. 1). .. And for the Celtics, you could argue Okafor could be the best player in this draft.”
We won't have to wait too long to find out if Simmons' prediction comes to fruition.
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