Jared Sullinger (Photo : Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport)
This is a very credible trade from the Celtics Blog and it makes a lot of sense depending on the real status of Joel Embiid.
The main basis of Joel Embiid's availability was on a scathing report from The Cauldron which questioned his maturity and work ethic.
While those are red flags, it should be noted that the Sixers are stacked in the center position with Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel. Even if Embiid turns out all right, it's unlikely for the team to keep all three of them.
Another factor is that The Cauldron piece also pointed out that some members of the ownership group are getting impatient.
"(Sixers majority owner)Harris, per a source, has no issue (yet) with Hinkie's approach, largely because the franchise is worth two to three times what Harris and his group paid for it in 2011, but sources suggest that other pieces of the ownership team are getting less patient."
The assumption is that Sixers GM Sam Hinkie will be pressured to make a move for the present and not in the future.
On the other hand, the Celtics need to trim their roster to 15 spots before the season starts, so they need to make 2 for 1 trades.
Jared Sullinger may be a trade asset later in the season but if he can get the Sixers to turn their way, it is presumed that Danny Ainge will not think twice since Sully is not a player they have for the long-term. Perry Jones was already the prime candidate to get the axe because of his injury, so it's a no-brainer.
"The Sixers get an actual power forward in Sullinger to put next to either Okafor or Noel and Jones is another young piece they can add to their core group of guys," Celtics Blog pointed out."Picks obviously might have to exchange hands but I don't really think the Celtics lose here even if Embiid doesn't pan out."
That would be big question. It's likely that the Sixers would ask for the Brooklyn Nets 2016 pick (unprotected, most likely lottery) and the Celtics would probably not budge. They do have other future draft assets to sell like the Dallas Mavericks' protected only from 1-7.
