Ad Disclosure
UPDATE: Sixers Going Full Bore at Number Three Pick
By Kyle Scott
Published:
ESPN’s Marc Stein:
League sources tell @chadfordinsider and me: Philadelphia is ramping up its efforts to acquire tonight's No. 3 overall pick from Boston.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 23, 2016
Numerous rivals describe Philly as the most active team in circulation … with a trade involving Nerlens Noel looking more and more likely
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 23, 2016
If Philly is successful prying the No. 3 pick from Boston, it'll enable the Sixers to choose between Buddy Hield, Kris Dunn or Jamal Murray
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 23, 2016
Uh oh. Live look at Jim:
Either Bryan Colangelo is doing some next-level posturing using the Celtics as leverage for something else he wants to do, or the Sixers really, really want point guard Kris Dunn at number three. I’m sort of torn on whether or not I’d prefer they trade Okafor or Noel. Okafor, with his defensive limitations and seemingly high value at this point, makes more sense. But I’m still not 100% sold on Noel as a premium NBA player. I buy the argument that he’s a better fit going forward as a defensive stopper, but only slightly. There’s never not a need for a big who can score, and if the Warriors’ final two series this year were any indication, maybe we’ve reached peaked spacing-shooting offense. So I don’t write off Okafor and his post moves the way many seemingly have. But, yeah, trade him, not Noel.
And then there’s the fact that Jim, and others…
The Celtics aren't trading the 3rd pick for Okafor. That would be idiotic right now – Philly has a big man logjam and zero trade leverage.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 22, 2016
… feel Ainge may be about to fleece Colangelo because he tipped his hand.
UPDATE: Jake Pavorsky not happy either:
Nerlens for Dunn depletes the Sixers of a rim protector and probably takes the ball out of Simmons hands, where he's most dangerous. Dumb.
— Jake Pavorsky (@JakePavorsky) June 23, 2016
If Embiid is good & healthy, you don't need Okafor. There's the low post guy you can play through. Can always, always use a guy like Noel.
— Jake Pavorsky (@JakePavorsky) June 23, 2016
The more @ESPNSteinLine tweets, the more nauseous I get.
— Jake Pavorsky (@JakePavorsky) June 23, 2016
Big wild card in all of this: If Embiid is healthy. There’s a real chance his career spirals to nothingness due to foot injuries. There’s precedent for that. Several of them.
UPDATE: Negotiating in public! Celtics hold firm stance:
Kris Dunn has significant traction in Boston as No. 3 pick, sources tell @TheVertical. No final decision — and trades remain on table.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2016
Celtics fielding calls for the No. 3 pick — and the majority of the teams interested to take Kris Dunn, sources told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 23, 2016
UPDATE 2:
https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/746017873672339456\
Kyle Scott is the founder and editor of CrossingBroad.com. He has written for CBS Philly and Philly Voice, and been a panelist or contributor on NBC Sports Philly, FOX 29 and SNY TV, as well as a recurring guest on 97.5 The Fanatic, 94 WIP, 106.7 The Fan and other stations. He has more than 10 years experience running digital media properties and in online advertising and marketing.