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Philadelphia 76ers: Updated trade options for Jahlil Okafor

By Simon Smith

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Jahil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers during warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 12, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Jahil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers during warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 12, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

3. Atlanta Hawks

Having made the playoffs for the past 10 years, the Hawks have perennially been among the stronger performing teams in the Eastern Conference. The downside to this is that during this span, the Hawks have not had the luxury of possessing high-end draft picks. The last time they had a high-end selection was in 2007, when they selected Al Horford with the No. 3 overall pick.

The Hawks’ head coach Mike Budenholzer is recognized as one of the premier offensive tacticians in the game. Having lost Horford to free agency last summer, and most recently Paul Millsap, Budenholzer and the Hawks are clearly in the rebuilding stage. Given his age, talent level, and potential upside, taking a flier on Okafor should be a serious consideration for a Hawks team desperate for talent.

At present, the Hawks’ frontline consists of Mike Muscala, recently acquired journeyman Miles Plumlee, another recently acquired center in Diamond Stone, and the No. 19 overall selection from this year’s draft, John Collins.

Despite possessing some upside, the players mentioned simply don’t compare with Okafor. Having spent 17 seasons as an assistant coach for there San Antonio Spurs, defense is a high priority for Budenholzer, and he would be well aware that this is simply not an area in which Okafor excels. In fact, it’s the complete opposite.

Last season, the Sixers had a defensive rating of 109.5 when Okafor was on the floor, which improved to 105.1 when he was resting. But a recent test case could encourage Budeholzer to take a flier on the 21-year-old. The now departed Tim Hardaway Jr. was all at sea when he arrived in Atlanta, on the defensive end in particular.

However, after a stint in the D-League, Hardaway Jr. returned with a better understanding of what it took become a reliable contributor under Budenholzer’s system.

At present, the Hawks potentially have three first-round selections in 2018. One of those selections is coming from the Minnesota Timberwolves as a result of the 2015 deal that sent Adreian Payne to the Timberwolves. The pick, top-14 protected, can be sent to the Hawks in any draft between 2018-20, after which time it will automatically turn into two second-round selections.

With the Hawks having used a plethora of mid-first round picks over the past decade, forgoing on one of these to acquire a player with the potential of Okafor should be a no-brainer.