Hoops Habit
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NBA Trade Deadline: Every Team’s Most Untouchable Asset

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Wells Fargo Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 98-92 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Wells Fargo Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 98-92 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia 76ers: Jahlil Okafor

The Philadelphia 76ers have overloaded the roster with talented and promising big men. Joel Embiid has superstar potential, Nerlens Noel could one day compete for Defensive Player of the Year awards, and Jahlil Okafor is already one of the best post players in the NBA.

At least one of those players has to go, but if Philadelphia is going to keep any of them around, it should be Okafor.

Okafor had a tumultuous start to his NBA career, including off-the-court incidents, but Jerry Colangelo has brought in the perfect mentor to help him right the ship: Elton Brand. Brand, a former All-NBA big man, can take Okafor under his wing, teach him what works on the court, and help him stay out of trouble off of it.

Vaunted for his work ethic, and already proving himself on the court, Okafor is the perfect player for Colangelo and Sam Hinkie to build with.

Until Embiid proves that he can remain healthy—thus far, he’s played zero games in two seasons—trading Okafor would be far too risky. The 20-year-old is averaging 17.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks on 49.4 percent shooting from the field in 30.4 minutes of action per game.

For those concerned about Okafor being a liability on defense, opponents are shooting 49.0 percent when he meets them at the rim, and 47.5 percent overall when he’s the primary defender—solid marks.

Next: Phoenix Suns