Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor (Photo : Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers is the only winless team and it's probably by design but there's no reason to start building for the future.
The team has two assets and they naturally play the same position. Despite being an offense vs defense function, they still don't play well together. According to an anonymous scout asked by Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer:
"Two big men who don't really fit together and the rest is a D-league roster."
The result would be what one would expect: 0-14.
Because of this dilemma, a forum on Real GM asked Sixers and NBA fans in general on who should the Sixers keep, Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel. Voting on that poll seems anti-climactic as NBC believes it's unfair to make a judgment call this early.
"The problem is it's hard to evaluate Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor as a front line because of the terrible play around them. Make no mistake, they have not looked good together."
The other underlying problem is that their other main asset, Joel Embiid, is also a center. In the NBA's changing landscape, two centers at the same time does not seem to work anymore (see Detroit Pistons). If Embiid plays, most probably they will have two centers at least 40 minutes a game.
A trade was proposed with the Portland Trail Blazers-a team that's also forced to rebuild but looking much more decent. They found a diamond in the rough in CJ McCollum, who had an auspicious start of the season.
With his improved play and the Sixers needing talent but not enough to make them win a ton of games (since they are tanking), the former Lehigh standout would fit, especially since it's familiar ground.
The Blazers will upgrade Mason Plumlee and send Noah Vonleh, another promising talent who can be a starter for the Sixers. Meyers Leonard is like a "stretch center" he can play better with Noel than Okafor.
This proposed trade won't rock the NBA but will slightly improve two struggling teams.
