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Boston Celtics Should Trade for Embiid, Not Okafor

By Joshua Bateman

Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dunks during warm ups before playing against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dunks during warm ups before playing against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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It is no surprise that the rumours about the Boston Celtics trading the third overall pick are swirling and there is a lot of talk about them sending their pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for the third overall pick from last year’s draft, Jahlil Okafor. While the Celtics could certainly use an offensive force in the paint like Okafor, there is another 76er that should should try to acquire for the third overall pick, Joel Embiid.

For perhaps the first time in his career, Embiid has finally received some good news on the injury front. Of course, there still is a great deal of uncertainty and risk with his health, but that is a risk that the Celtics should be willing to make. Embiid has the kind of potential that could transform the Celtics and if he stays healthy, there is no one they can pick at number three that can match his talent. The biggest thing that may get in their way is the price for Embiid. He was not selected first overall, but a healthy Embiid has a talent level that far exceeds what is normally available at third overall.

Okafor is a great offensive prospect and if Embiid is not an option then Okafor may end up being the best possible choice for the Celtics with that third overall pick. The problem is that there may be too many issues that will keep Okafor out of the Celtics’ lineup. First of all, he does very little on the defensive end well. The Celtics have been able to accommodate weaker defenders in their front court but as he stands now, Okafor may be too much of a liability to get any playing time. The Celtics did not have a top interior defender, but they managed to mke all their front court players capable defenders.

Okafor also lacks some of the offensive versatility that the Celtics look for. If the Celtics want to go all in for an offensive force in their front court then they ideally want someone that can stretch the floor in addition to being able to play in the post. Okafor would certainly be the Celtics’ best interior offensive option but would remain limited in an offense that embraces players that can hit shots all over the court.

The problem is that the two biggest areas of struggle for the Celtics were outside shooting and rim protection, and those are the two areas where Okafor may not be able to help the Celtics. Embiid, on the other hand, can become a full package for the Celtics. He can address some of those dire needs without being a liability anywhere.

Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The biggest difference between Okafor and Embiid is that the uncertainty about Embiid has to do with ability to stay healthy on the court, the uncertainty about Okafor is much worse considering the issues are on the court.

Embiid will not address the Celtics’ shooting issues but he can be the rim protector they need. The Celtics have Jordan Mickey waiting to help in that area but Embiid has the size that Mickey doesn’t. The 7 footer has the potential to transform their interior defense, eliminating the only aspect of their defense that is a liability.

Embiid addresses a much more important need than Okafor with that rim protection and Embiid’s potential as a rim protector is higher than Okafor’s offensive potential. Embiid would have been the first overall pick in his draft and would be the first overall pick in a lot of drafts if not for his health. Embiid has that high end transformative potential and if the Celtics have any chance of trading for him they should jump on it.

Embiid would transform the Celtics with his defense and he can do that without being a liability on offense. He will not be a factor shooting the ball but he can be an great option in the paint. Embiid finished over 60% over his shots in college and that is the kind of reliability the Celtics would look for in order to get him in the lineup. Although, his defense alone would be enough to get plenty of playing time.

Embiid is also a monster on the boards. Embiid can address and fix all of the Celtics’ issues in the paint and there is nobody that will be available at number three in this draft that can do that. His defense could make him a day one contributor for the Celtics and in a big way.

The Celtics may err on the side of caution with Embiid’s very concerning injury history but his level of talent is worth the risk. The hardest part may be how much the 76ers are asking for Embiid but the Celtics should explore that option to the fullest, before they consider trading for Okafor.

Next: Free Agency: Top 5 Rim Protectors

Okafor is not a bad option but, on the court, he has far more question marks than Embiid. Embiid will not transfrom their offense but it may not take much time before he could become the Celtics’ best rebounder, best shot blocker and best finisher in the paint. The Celtics will need to go elsewhere for shooting but it may be impossible to find another player that can address as many needs as Embiid with the third overall pick.

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