Jahlil Okafor (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers have placed themselves in the thick of the rumor mill as they admitted to shopping their two centers.
While such declarations don't often lead to actual trades and just a method to gauge the trade value of their players, recent statements by the team have given clues about their actual intent or motivations.
The Sixers are probably one of the teams who spent the most time observing the prospects of the NBA 2016 Draft and they already have prepared for any circumstance-including the possibility of having two top 5 picks-their own and no.4 of 5 if the Lakers fell out.
We all know that did not happen but the Sixers seem to have a target that they already like and would now be willing to trade to get him. As Keith Pompey reported in Philly.com, that is Jamal Murray of Kentucky.
Quoting the Sixers VP for player personnel Marc Eversley: "Jamal Murray, we certainly got a chance to see him a couple of weeks ago. He's certainly going to be one of those kids who's going to be in contention for the No. 1 pick."
That statement is quite extreme and most pundits would agree that there's no way Murray goes no.1. But the interest is there for the Sixers and the fit is quite obvious. This is why Pompey tried to justify the statement as "talking him up as potential first overall pick to justify moving one of its cornerstones via a trade to acquire Murray."
The Sixers three seasons of mediocrity have taken its toll on the fans and the front office seems to have found the need to be sensible. There are Sixers followers in Philly who are against trading Okafor or any of their centers.
But Murray would be worth it as Pompey wrote: "Some within the Sixers organization believe that he has the biggest upside of any of the draft prospects. However, NBA insiders think it would be a reach to draft anyone outside of Simmons or Ingram first overall."
With this information, it would be easier to deduce the Sixers actual plans, as Michael Saenz of Sir Charles In Charge did.
Saenz agrees with the general reaction of fans who were against trading Noel (also Stauskas and Covington) for the Atlanta Hawks' Jeff Teague because "there has to be a better deal out there."
As he concluded, the Sixers are unlikely to move one of their prized bigs, except for one transaction.
"That's if the Boston Celtics elect to send their third overall pick to Philly for Okafor - that's the only way I can see Philadelphia moving one of their two bigs right now," Saenz said.
If the Sixers are targeting Murray and will use one of their centers, the Celtics is the best bet. They have the most need for Okafor. The Phoenix Suns (who hold the no.4 pick) has Alex Len as their developing center along with Tyson Chandler. The Minnesota Timberwolves (no.5) have Karl Anthony Towns.
It was rumored that the Celtics have already offered their Brooklyn Nets' unprotected pick for Okafor at the deadline so why the hold-up? At that time, the Celtics did not know what their pick was worth but now that it's no.3, it can be speculated that they were asking for something more. But it could also be the other way around.
Still, this is a trade that makes sense and most likely to happen given the information that they have released.
