Big men-headlined NBA trades continue to go through, and yet still Jahlil Okafor remains with the Philadelphia 76ers.
As has been the case for roughly forever, though, the expectation is for this to change. And while the New Orleans Pelicans (DeMarcus Cousins trade), Denver Nuggets (Mason Plumlee trade) and Portland Trail Blazers (Jusuf Nurkic trade) have all ostensibly removed themselves from the running, both the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics remain interested in a potential deal, according to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein (via Mass Live’s Jay King):
“Okafor is kind of still there,” Stein said on ESPN Radio. “He’s been so out there that you tend to think Philadelphia will find something in the next three days where they move him. I’ve heard that Boston has still given that some consideration. Chicago’s another team that’s been said to have shown some Okafor interest.”
The Sacramento Kings’ decision to move DeMarcus Cousins on the cheap could be the motivation Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo needs to sell off Okafor. Philly, presumably, is holding out for a better offer, and when three-time All-Star bigs aren’t fetching top dollar, a top-three draft prospect with plunging value won’t, either.
Sure, Cousins has his baggage. But so, too, does Okafor. Teams don’t quite know if he’s fit for today’s league, as a low-post brute who doesn’t excel as a floor-spacer, passer or defender. His next spot is assuming all the risk, and that should be reflected in the Sixers’ return—whatever it ultimately ends up being.
