Philadelphia 76ers Trade Leverage Continuously Decreasing

With every passing day, the window for the Philadelphia 76ers to move a big man for good value feels like it’s rapidly closing.

The Philadelphia 76ers‘ biggest dilemma isn’t in the form of accumulating assets anymore. The asset collection tour Sam Hinkie’s regime has given the team a gifted curse. While the team is loaded with potential talent, the clogged front court is forcing the team to make a move. The big men drafted don’t seem to complement each other on the floor and could stunt each other’s growth.

Nerlens Noel aired these feelings to the media before training camp, and a downward spiral of trade talks began. Jahlil Okafor, Noel’s counterpart in the minds of fans, has tried to favorably morph his image after off-court issues and an unconvincing rookie season. Okafor and Noel are both hot names in the trade rumor mills, but the Philadelphia 76ers’ ability to get equal or greater value for their embattled center prospects.

Noel’s contract situation has already hindered his trade value. The thought would be that a team willing to trade for him would be more than happy to retain him in restricted free agency, but that’s not how the market played out. The uproar of talented young big men have put front court needs to the back-burners of needs for retooling teams. Other rebuilding teams can’t afford to trade for Noel, as they’ve become a barren wasteland of attractive assets (i.e. Brooklyn Nets).

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Competing teams looking for depth in the front court will be hesitant to want to trade a valuable and cheaper asset in a late-round pick for a player that would be either a one season impact or a very costly long-term investment. Cash-strapped teams at the top will find it hard to justify retaining Noel through restricted free agency, further restricting the team from adding important bench options.

Jahlil Okafor’s situation may come down to pure asking price. The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Okafor with the 3rd pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. His rookie year didn’t destroy his value, but it has definitely diminished because of his inconsistent play and the trade market for big men practically shut. Add in the fact that his rookie season was cut short due to injury.

It all seemed to be a looming storm that the Philadelphia 76ers could smartly prepare for. Then, Noel’s interview and his self-reported injury intensified the speed of the storm. It was finally reported that Noel would undergo minor knee surgery, which will cost him 3-5 weeks. This doesn’t kill Noel’s trade value, but it seriously hurts it even more.

Noel’s career was kicked off with a year of rehab after suffering an ACL tear at Kentucky. Questions about Noel’s physical build and injury. Noel had himself a terrific rookie season in the second half, but followed it with a disappointing sophomore season. His injury woes continued after a freak-wrist injury and his offensive game showed no development.

Most lottery picks have four years to prove their worth throughout their rookie contracts, Noel has had just three in a sub-optimal situation for him. The recent surgery could halt any ongoing trade talks, or dissolve them completely. As if the Philadelphia 76ers didn’t already have little trade leverage, the recent surgery hinders it further.

As the NBA will take it’s long trek towards the trade deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers will continue to see a decrease in trade value. Noel’s uneasiness will plague the front office’s ability to find a valued trade suitor. If Okafor continues an up and down trend, his weaknesses will outweigh his potential. Lastly, the potential blossoming of Joel Embiid could also affect the leverage the team has as opposing GMs will try to just take one of the other big men off the team’s book for a bargain value.

Next: Potential Lineups for Opening Night

The Philadelphia 76ers must make a move before a storm hits. If the team continues to hold their cards soon enough close to their chest, they could lose something for nothing. The trade made must still have some value, either future or current. But that value is slowly starting to flat-line.