NBA Rumors: 76ers Could Trade Jahlil Okafor To The Celtics For The No. 3 Overall Pick In Order To Draft Kris Dunn

With the 2016 NBA draft only a few weeks away, rumors are swirling regarding the Philadelphia 76ers and what they plan on doing with their three first-round draft picks. While it is likely that the 76ers select LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons with the No. 1 overall pick, it is much more of a question mark regarding who they are going to select with the No. 24 and No. 26 overall picks. Regardless of the team’s multiple first-round draft picks, the latest rumors believe that the 76ers are looking for another high pick in the opening round. Since the 76ers have an abundance of big men, they reportedly could trade center Jahlil Okafor to the Boston Celtics for the No. 3 overall pick and draft Providence guard Kris Dunn.

As reported by Philly Voice, Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report believes that there is a real chance that this deal could happen.

“While the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to make Simmons the No. 1 pick, they are looking to potentially move Jahlil Okafor for the No. 3 pick in order to be able to take [Providence point guard] Kris Dunn.”

In addition to Bucher believing that the trade could happen, Rich Hofmann of Philly Voice also asked Derek Bodner of Philly Mag about the possibility that the blockbuster deal goes down.

“On the last edition of Sixers Beat, I asked Derek Bodner for a guess about this exact scenario (trade for 3, draft Dunn) and he estimated there was more than a 50 percent chance it happens.”

While the Celtics have long been rumored to covet Okafor, the 76ers could still be reluctant to trade him to a team within their division. At only 20-years-old, Okafor already has one of the most polished games for a big man in the entire NBA. While he is not an athletic center, which is the trend in today’s NBA, he has an elite game in the post. While his defense and rebounding leave a lot to be desired, he is still young enough to improve on both.

In addition to Okafor’s deficiencies on the court, he has also had numerous issues off of the court. While a few minor mistakes should be expected from such a young man, he did not exactly have a quiet rookie season. Regardless, his talent speaks for itself, and he is still young enough to fix his issues that he having off of the court. With a record 48-34 and a young and talented coach, the Celtics could be the perfect landing spot for Okafor to further develop.

While the 76ers would still like to see Okafor develop with them, they have too many big men. With the team set to draft Simmons, they are going to be adding another one. Additionally, their 2014 first-round draft pick, Joel Embiid, is finally going to play his first game this season. Also, Dario Saric is rumored to be joining the team from Turkey. In addition to Okafor, Nerlens Noel has also been involved in trade rumors, but many believe Okafor is the more likely of the two to be dealt.

Since the 76ers have focused on drafting big men over the past few seasons, they need a ton of help at the guard position. According to the latest NBA mock draft from Hoops Hype, Dunn could fall to the No. 6 overall spot. Regardless, if the 76ers feel as though Dunn is their guy, they have to trade for the highest possible pick in order to be in the position to draft him. Since the Lakers are going to draft Duke forward Brandon Ingram with the No. 2 overall pick, a trade with the Celtics for the No. 3 overall pick makes the most sense for the 76ers.

Prospect Profile: Kris Dunn

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— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 2, 2016

It's amazing to me how many people not only believe #Celtics will trade for Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel, but that C's will deal for BOTH.

— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) May 30, 2016

Since many NBA analysts believe that the 76ers will have to trade either Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor, rumors will continue to surround them and their potential destinations. While the 76ers may ask the Celtics for more, a trade featuring Okafor for the No. 3 overall pick with the intention of drafting Providence guard Kris Dunn could happen.

[Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images]