Jahlil Okafor is not a fan of trade rumors.
On Saturday, Calkins Media’s Tom Moore reported that the Philadelphia 76ers “tried like hell” to deal Okafor ahead of the draft but couldn’t find a palatable deal. He then revealed that the absence of a trade frustrated the young big man and his camp (h/t CBS Sports):
As for Jahlil Okafor and Noel still being on the roster, Colangelo clearly didn’t get what he perceived as fair value in trade talks prior to, on and since draft night.
An NBA source said Colangelo “tried like hell to trade Okafor.” As a result, Okafor is “upset and his people are upset.”
Okafor responded to this report on Sunday night, and he clearly wasn’t happy:
One second I'm reportedly upset to be in Philly, then the next I'm upset about trade rumors and having to leave Philly.
— Jahlil Okafor (@JahlilOkafor) July 11, 2016
Which one is it? Source please confirm. Seems like writers are getting lazy, dropping a fraudulent story and try to make it credible by
— Jahlil Okafor (@JahlilOkafor) July 11, 2016
Using that magic word…. Sources! Lol stop it.
— Jahlil Okafor (@JahlilOkafor) July 11, 2016
With all that being said. I love where I am, and I am excited about this upcoming season. Big season for us! #Philly
— Jahlil Okafor (@JahlilOkafor) July 11, 2016
Personally, I’m not really sure whether Moore was saying Okafor is upset at the trade rumors or that he’s angry he hasn’t been dealt yet. Either way, Okafor may want to strap in. These rumors aren’t going away.
At least one of him and Noel must be traded for the Sixers to avoid an epic frontcourt logjam. Both Ben Simmons and Dario Saric, who is still expected to come stateside, are better off at the 4, and Joel Embiid needs to see ample time at the 5.
Though Philly can justify bringing one of Noel or Okafor off the bench for the time being, the pair of them won’t work long term. It’ll force Embiid, Okafor and Noel to all soak up time at power forward, while displacing Simmons and Saric to small forward.
I’d say bank on a trade being brokered before the regular season, but I know better. These are the Sixers. There is no predicting what they’ll do next.
