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Philadelphia 76ers: Overlooking Development And Jahlil Okafor Trade Rumors

By George Kondoleon

Mar 1, 2016; Villanova, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Jahlil Okafor watches game between Villanova Wildcats and DePaul Blue Demons during the second half at The Pavilion. Villanova defeated DePaul, 83-62. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Villanova, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Jahlil Okafor watches game between Villanova Wildcats and DePaul Blue Demons during the second half at The Pavilion. Villanova defeated DePaul, 83-62. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jahlil Okafor‘s confusing swirl in trade talks continues.

The Philadelphia 76ers have been in some hot reports lately. Along with the report by Michael Kaskey-Blomain that the team is losing patience with GM Sam Hinkie’s rebuilding plan, Keith Pompey of philly.com reported that rookie Jahlil Okafor’s future with the team may hinge upon the health of fellow big man Joel Embiid.

This hasn’t been the first time rumors spread about the Philadelphia 76ers trading, Okafor. Around the trade deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers reportedly denied a trade with the Boston Celtics that involved Okafor and the Nets’ 2016 pick as the two main pieces. Okafor has also been in fan-powered trade rumors as well.

Jahlil Okafor has proven to be magnificent on the low post, which was his forte coming out of Duke University. As expected, Okafor struggled defensively and at times clogged the offense when paired with Nerlens Noel. Okafor’s rookie season may have brought out the hypocrisy of some who support ‘The Process’.

"“Similar players, Okafor and Embiid are an unlikely pairing. They are both liabilities guarding athletic power forwards and chasing stretch fours on the perimeter. So the belief is that the Sixers may try to move Okafor this summer if Embiid is healthy. If he isn’t, they have to decide between Okafor and Noel.” – Keith Pompey, philly.com"

Fans of the Philadelphia 76ers tend to forget that ‘The Process’ doesn’t stop at asset collecting. The point of the rebuilding plan was to collect assets that will , then eventually develop these assets to become a championship-like team. The mindset might have crept in after the team traded Michael Carter-Williams after winning the rookie of the year award.

The difference between Carter-Williams and Okafor is the obvious star potential. Okafor’s ceiling is seemingly limitless, yet many, maybe even the Philadelphia 76ers, are quick to trade him. In Pompey’s article, he explains that “…Okafor and Embiid are an unlikely pairing. They are both liabilities guarding athletic power forwards and chasing stretch fours on the perimeter. So the belief is that the Sixers may try to move Okafor this summer if Embiid is healthy. If he isn’t, they have to decide between Okafor and Noel”.

Why is it that Okafor and Embiid are worse of a pairing than Noel and Embiid? Noel, himself, has struggled with defending perimeter-able big men. He fails to close out on the mid-range shot and might be worse on offense than Okafor was on defense this past season. There’s always this narrative that the Philadelphia 76ers must get rid of one, but why not give them more time to develop?

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The Philadelphia 76ers have yet to have a core player who has been on the court for the team for three seasons. This is unsurprisingly a big reason why ‘The Process’ is at the system’s low. The need for developing a cohesive unit must start now.

The Portland Trailblazers were able to avoid total rebuilding after LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, and Wesley Matthews left. They still had an elite guard in Damian Lillard, which helped immensely, and paired him with C.J. McCollum, who had spent time coming in for relief in the case of Matthews’ fatigue or frequent injuries.

The Trailblazers encountered a much different rebuild scenario than the Philadelphia 76ers did when both teams started the season, but Portland was able to build off two players who have become comfortable playing with each other the last few seasons.

The Philadelphia 76ers, due to the injuries that held out Noel and Embiid in their respective rookie season, haven’t been able to create that type of chemistry. The team needs to allowing their players to fully develop their skills before continuously shipping them off .

Deciding on whether Okafor is worthy or not of the development the Philadelphia 76ers have been strangely applauded for will be the question the team must ask. Dealing Okafor depending on the health of Embiid, who has been unfortunate with injuries keeping him off the court last two seasons, seems like the risk that would officially put Sam Hinkie’s neck on the line.

Next: 5 Best Sixers Shooters Ever

The Philadelphia 76ers are standing at the edge of a cliff, and it seems like one more crucial mishap in the process might be what shoves them off it. Okafor’s career will go on, with or without the Philadelphia 76ers, but the team will seemingly decide soon on whether or not they will watch it unfold.