76ers Rumors: Could Jahlil Okafor Or Nerlens Noel Be Moved?

Philadelphia 76ers Rumors: Could this be the offseason the 76ers make a big splash by trading away one of their big men in Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel?

Philadelphia 76ers rumors are going to be rampant in the near future as they have an important offseason ahead of them. They control the landscape of the 2016 NBA Draft, as they hold three first round picks, including the No.1 overall pick. Despite all of the tanking the 76ers have done, this is the first time since 1996, when they selected Allen Iverson, that they landed the top pick.

Despite not landing the top pick in recent years, the 76ers have built quite the stable of young players, especially in the frontcourt. They’ve come away with arguably the top center in each of the last three draft classes, as they landed Nerlens Noel in a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Jrue Holiday, Joel Embiid in 2014 and Jahlil Okafor in 2015.

All three players could be starting centers in the NBA right now, presenting quite the quagmire for the 76ers. They always knew that there would come a time that they had to decide which one or two they would keep as building blocks; could that time be this offseason?

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Embiid is making progress off the court, and looks like he will finally make his much anticipated debut this year after missing the past two seasons with a foot injury. As a result, the 76ers could entertain the idea of trading away either Noel or Okafor. It is something that ESPN.com’s Chad Ford believes could and will happen this offseason. Here is what Ford had to say about the situation:

"“I think that there’s a very high likelihood, that whether it’s to move up in the draft or use them to grab a free agent in a sign and trade or just to a trade, that you will not see the Nerlens Noel-Jahlil Okafor pairing at the start of next season. I think that they’ll gauge the interest of both players. I think that there might be a slight preference for Noel, to keep him around with the Sixers, and I think you might be right, there might be a slight, better value for Okafor out on the market, but I think everyone agrees that that combination of those two players doesn’t necessarily work.”"

What Ford said is in line with what sources told ESPN, as the 76ers seem determined to gauge the interest of their young centers. One team to keep an eye on is the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics are reportedly enamored with Okafor, as they have tried multiple times to land the former Duke product. The Celtics supposedly considered making an offer during the NBA Draft last season to move up and select Okafor, and once again tried once the NBA Trade Deadline rolled around in February.

If the 76ers and Celtics are going to be trade partners, expect the 76ers to try and acquire the No.3 overall pick in this season’s draft. The 76ers could really brighten their future if they can add the first and third picks of the 2016 NBA Draft to their roster.

They would be guaranteed to land two of the quartet of Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, Kris Dunn and Jamal Murray, who are arguably the four best prospects in this year’s class.

With the frontcourt covered in Embiid and either Noel or Okafor, the wings and backcourt should be the focus of the 76ers during the draft. They would add legitimate building blocks and potential franchise cornerstones at those spots as well if they trade with the Celtics.

Next: Top 25 Players To Play For Philadelphia 76ers

If a trade does not go down, the 76ers will still be happy coming away with either Simmons or Ingram, the consensus top two prospect’s in this year’s class.

76ers Rumors: Could Jahlil Okafor Or Nerlens Noel Be On The Move?

By Kenneth Teape | May 28, 2016

Philadelphia 76ers Rumors: Could this be the offseason the 76ers make a big splash by trading away one of their big men in Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel?