The Jahlil Okafor situation with the Sixers is as much of a disaster as it is completely and totally baffling. He finds himself only getting playing time when Joel Embiid isn't playing, and it took a disastrous performance by Richaun Holmes in Chicago to regain his spot in the rotation even without Joel Embiid. Okafor's trade value has fallen significantly, and the #3 overall draft pick in 2015 may find himself with the maximum trade value of a late 1st round draft pick in the 2017 NBA Draft at this point.
However, if Bryan Colangelo plays his cards right, he may find a way to salvage some value for Okafor, and it has nothing to do with playing him more, which in case you haven't been paying attention, causes the Sixers to lose more games than when he doesn't play. Jahlil Okafor does not need to be showcased. NBA general managers know his game, and know what he is capable of. They know his extreme defensive deficiencies and his poor effort rebounding the basketball. They know about his lack of hustle, and inability to give effort on screens. They know about his tremendous low post offensive arsenal, but limited versatility on offense, which severely limits the number of teams he can fit in with. Showcasing Okafor at this point is a lost cause. He should be sitting to avoid the risk of major injury, which would completely assure he isn't leaving Philadelphia any time soon.
To maximize value with Okafor, there are two last-ditch options.
Option 1: Find a general manager short-sighted enough to trade a distant future 1st round pick with little or no protections far enough in future, where they consider the cost "out of sight, out of mind." If the Sixers try to sell an unprotected 1st rounder in, say, 2021, GMs may figure that it's so far down the line, it may be worth surrending, which is essentially a free player for the next 4 seasons. Almost like a loan. In addition, GMs may conclude that it isn't even a given they are employed by said team that far down the road, so they will not be around at that time to deal with the back-end repercussions of such a deal.
For the Sixers, it makes sense from a multiple perspectives. With multiple extra future draft picks, a projected NBA-leading amount of cap space, Furkan Korkmaz still playing overseas, and the eventual return of Jerryd Bayless, they will be able to withstand the loss of a player like Okafor without getting an immediate return. Roster spots for the Sixers will be few and far between for the next several seasons. Additionally, by 2021, the Sixers may have advanced to the level of Eastern Conference upper-echelon contenders, and with some luck, could find themselves a rare opportunity to draft in the upper part of the 1st round while contending for an Eastern Conference title. Imagine the Sixers finishing a season with 57 wins, being eliminated by the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, and having a top 10 pick in the draft to bolster their roster for the following season.
Option 2: Trading for a player whose value is currently low, but will only appreciate over time, allowing you to have a chance at a long-term payoff. Scour the league, and look for players who are getting limited playing time who you see being major contributors several years down the road, and look around for raw talents who have yet to put it all together. The best NBA executives are able to identify these players, see the talent no one else can see, and put them on a coaching staff who can develop talent, and get the most out of your acquisition.
The last thing the Sixers want to do is trade Jahlil Okafor, for a maxed out 7 year veteran, who has no future with the organization, and will not be around when they start climbing that playoff ladder. Even if the Sixers acquire a lesser overall talent in return for Okafor, it should be a player who has a chance to contribute to the club for the foreseeable future. It doesn't have to be a starter, nor would I expect one at this point. However, having a strong bench is important in the NBA; especially in the playoffs.
If Colangelo uses the right strategy, and plays his cards right, with a willing dance partner, he may just have an opportunity to get some value for Okafor yet.
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