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Philadelphia 76ers Trade Options As Deadline Looms

By Simon Smith

Jan 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) an forward Nerlens Noel (4) in a game against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) an forward Nerlens Noel (4) in a game against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Jahlil Okafor (right) watch from the bench during the final minutes of a game against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center. The Utah Jazz won 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Philadelphia 76ers have made great strides this season. But questions still remain regarding the future of some of their young stars.

Bryan Colangelo’s first real test as the Philadelphia 76ers‘ president of basketball operations could be looming. His first assignment in selecting Ben Simmons with the No.1 overall pick of the 2016 NBA draft was considered a no-brainer.

His first significant trade was made earlier this season and flew somewhat under the radar. Colangelo traded young forward Jeremi Grant to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for forward Ersan Ilyasova.

So far, Simmons has yet to play due to a foot injury, while Ilyasova has been a pleasant surprise since his arrival at the Wells Fargo Center.

But it will be the decisions he makes regarding the futures of the 76ers’ young frontcourt players in Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel that will be critical moving forward.

Related Story: 25 Best Players to Play for the Philadelphia 76ers

The emergence this season of clear Rookie of the Year favorite Joel Embiid has cast significant doubt over the roles of Okafor and Noel moving forward.

Okafor, taken with the No. 3 overall pick of the 2015 NBA draft, has regressed significantly this season. After averaging 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in 53 appearances as a rookie, Okafor’s numbers have dropped to 11.4 points and 4.8 rebounds in 34 games.

Noel, meanwhile, has also regressed in both confidence and playing time with the arrival of Embiid. After missing the first 23 games of the season due to a knee injury, Noel is averaging 8.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in just 17.9 minutes per game.

This is a sharp drop from the 11.1 points and 8.1 rebounds Noel averaged last season in 29.3 minutes per game.

Colangelo has entered the 76ers organization at a crucial juncture. The hoard of current and future assets acquired in recent years by his predecessor, Sam Hinkie, means the 76ers can be set up for sustained success if the correct decisions are made.

Colangelo noted at his introductory press conference:

"“This may be one of the best jobs in basketball right now. Given all the things that have been established over the last three years, given the draft picks that are in place, given the cap flexibility, given the fact that ownership is committed. It’s a tremendous sports town with passionate fans. We’re going to embrace that passion.”"