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Duke Blue Devils: Why So Much Okafor Smoke?

By John Woodcock

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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Former Duke Blue Devils star Jahlil Okafor may be leaving Philadelphia due to developments in how the modern NBA looks at power forwards.

Why are we so certain that the Philadelphia 76ers are going to trade former Duke Blue Devils star Jahlil Okafor? There is a lot of Okafor smoke and some observers like ESPN’s Chad Ford believe that he and/or Nerlens Noel will be moved. It could be Boston (most smoke) or some other spot (Los Angeles?) assuming that the 76ers can get a useful piece for Okafor.

Part of this will depend on the kind of roster Bryan Colangelo wants to build. There are a couple of models to pursue right now. There is the traditional model with its dual posts or there is the newer model of having a four that is out on the perimeter.

Reports of Colangelo shopping both Noel and Okafor would suggest that the new general manager is trying to do the latter. Colangelo’s ties go back to the Phoenix Suns under Mike D’Antoni which were on the cutting edge of the newer model of team building.

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This means where Colangelo really only needs one inside post man, he instead has three. Of the three, Joel Embiid is probably untradeable. So Colangelo is shopping the other two. The trick is what does he hope to achieve?

Okafor and Noel are both in their rookie deals and are not making the huge money that veteran back court help would bring. For instance Hawks point guard Jeff Teague makes $8 million or almost twice as much as Okafor. The good news for the 76ers is that a lot of their pieces are expendable to use as trade pieces.

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Trading Okafor for a veteran like Teague makes more sense than dealing him for a draft pick and another rookie who may or may not pan out. The 76ers want to win and win soon. As much as I like Kris Dunn, he is not the answer for the 76ers right this instant.

If Colangelo is committed to a more perimeter oriented attack with one post, then big chances will have to be made. That kind of stinks for Okafor who basically caused the entire Philadelphia franchise to turn on its axis. It was concerns for Okafor that caused the League to bring in Colangelo’s father into the equation and also brought in Elton Brand to mentor.

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How strange it would be if Okafor would now be the one that the franchise ships out after he made such a move possible.

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