The Philadelphia 76ers took Jahlil Okafor with the number three overall pick in the draft this year and in the future the team could consider a trade with Okafor, Joel Embiid or Nerlens Noel if the three big man scheme doesn't work out, as all three players were lottery picks and could have value on the market for general manager Sam Hinkie.
The Sixers had the third overall pick in the draft and most reports had the team targeting point guard D'Angelo Russell, but the Lakers took him at two. The pick set up the Sixers to take Okafor, who many considered the best overall prospect in the draft and now he comes in to try and help the franchise rebound. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Hinkie said that the team "will do a lot of experimenting" with Jahlil Okafor, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel this season.
Embiid and his status is up in the air and if he missed the entire season for the second straight year with an injury, the Sixers may sit back and wait to make a major move. The team got Noel from the Pelicans and that deal with Jrue Holiday is getting some notice after the Sixers were accused of hiding an injury. Noel had a strong season after missing time with an injury and now the health status for Embiid could be the biggest factor in whether or not the Sixers make a deal.
Sam Hinkie has been a trade monster over the past few years, as he has basically stockpiled picks and young players to try and build the franchise from the bottom up. Okafor is considered to be a top talent and if the team moves Embiid or Noel, they could get a decent return on them. Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Hinkie likely will listen to offers on Embiid and Noel, but he likely will wait until the trade deadline this season if he makes a move, as those players will be more in demand at that point.
According to the Philly Burbs/Intelligencer, Embiid's status for the season likely will come "in a month" and that will give the Sixers some clarity about whether he will be able to play this season. Embiid was considered to be a potential number one overall pick last year, but his foot injury kept him out of that spot and he slipped to three for the Sixers. Embiid was held out of workouts earlier in the month and the team plans on being "cautious" with the former Kansas big man, as he missed all of last season.
Noel was reportedly mentioned in trade talks during the draft with the Celtics, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, but the deal did not come close to happening. Noel comes in after having a solid first season in the NBA and it came after he missed the entire year with an injury after being drafted. Noel averaged nearly 10 points and 8.1 rebounds per game with just under two assists and two steals per game for the Sixers. Noel has shown that he can stay healthy after playing in 75 games this season and he could be an option to get moved if Okafor catches on quickly.
