Philadelphia 76ers rookie center Jahlil Okafor is reportedly on the trading block. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers would not have the best odds of landing top free agents, but that does not mean they would not make an attempt.
The Sixers do have solid assets to boast of, and the criticism that they don't mesh well is valid, because at the moment, the team is merely trying to collect assets.
Team site The Sixer Sense quoted Jerry Colangelo, the veteran executive tasked with accelerating "the Process" started by Sam Hinkie. Colangelo's intentions are clearly stated.
"You have to create an atmosphere that is really attractive to free agents, and you need to create a pool of players that others want to join... We could talk, in theory, about what's going to happen, but we just need to go out and start doing things. And when we do, I think we will have a shot to become a destination. That's our goal."
The Sixers will make their pitch to free agents but they do need to make some decisions, as Colangelo said, to create an attractive atmosphere.
One of those decisions they would have to make is about their roster. On the likely chance that they get the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft (which they are the frontrunners for since they have the worst record), they would probably pick Ben Simmons, and in a separate Sixer Sense article, they made a head to head comparison on who they should build their franchise on: Ben Simmons or Jahlil Okafor.
The hype about Ben Simmons has reached its peak and as critics start to nitpick his game, there are flaws being unraveled, such as his shooting.
That was the point made by TSS writer Jaylen Young. "The reason I believe Okafor is our franchise player and will be a better player overall is because he has truly elite skills on offense and is easy to build around."
While there are arguments that the post-up is no longer a go-to play, that's because most teams lack a legitimate post-up scorer. The Sixers could go against the grain with Okafor and since he could demand double-teams, it would benefit his other teammates.
The argument is that if you were a free agent being wooed by the Sixers, will you be enticed more by playing with Simmons or Okafor? This is one question that Colangelo should answer correctly.
There were rumors that Okafor was almost shipped to the Boston Celtics at the deadline presumably for the Brooklyn Nets pick. If that were true, it may be a sign that they want to secure Simmons even at the expense of Okafor.
