Kentucky Wildcats shooting guard Jamal Murray. (Photo : Getty Images)
Reports are out that the Philadelphia 76ers are keen on drafting Jamal Murray this summer, but they don't intend to make him the top pick. Thus, rumors have emerged that the team could trade Jahlil Okafor to the Boston Celtics for their no. 3 pick to snag the 19-year-old Kentucky Wildcat.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Sixers are impressed with Murray when they saw him during workouts weeks ago. Vice president for player personnel Marc Eversley said that apart from LSU's Ben Simmons and Duke's Brandon Ingram, Murray could also be considered as a top-one choice this June.
The 6-foot-4 shooting guard said to have impressed onlookers with his "shooting, ballhandling, and ability to create shots off the dribble" and evidently one of those whose attention was caught is Eversley.
"Jamal Murray, we certainly got a chance to see him a couple of weeks ago," Eversley said. "He's certainly going to be one of those kids who's going to be in contention for the No. 1 pick."
"We like him a lot. He's going to bring a lot to wherever he goes in the NBA, certainly a talent," the executive added.
It was also reported that some of Philadelphia's senior team officials "believe that he has the biggest upside of any of the draft prospects" and so they want to select him as early as possible.
However, the problem is after the first pick, the Sixers will again select at 24th and 26th, and Murray may no longer be available by that time.
Could Philadelphia select him as this year's top pick and miss the chance of drafting either Simmons or Ingram? Who knows, but the report also mentioned that several NBA analysts believe "it would be a reach to draft anyone outside of Simmons or Ingram first overall".
This means the Sixers would have to find a way to get another high pick, probably in the top five, to have a chance of landing Murray.
Chat Sports suggested trading surplus big man Okafor to the Celtics in exchange for their third overall pick.
Boston is reportedly open to dealing their lottery pick if the price is "impactful", according to head coach Brad Stevens.
"There are a lot of good players available in the draft, in my opinion," said Stevens. "There are some good guys and I'm excited about having the third pick. If we were to move it, it would have to be something pretty special to move it for."
There's no telling whether the Celtics would agree to such a deal, but there are speculations that Boston also wants Okafor, although it is not known whether they are willing to surrender the no. 3 pick just for him.
