Jahlil Okafor (Photo : Getty Images)
Jahlil Okafor could join John Wall in Washington next season if the Philadelphia 76ers decides to move the rookie center.
Keith Pompey of Philly.com reported that there is a possibility the 76ers trade Okafor in the offseason to make way for the frontcourt pairing of Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel.
Pompey noted that a tandem of similar players like Okafor and Embiid are unlikely to happen as both are liabilities in "guarding athletic power forwards and chasing stretch fours on the perimeter," potentially making the Duke product the odd man out from Philly's core of young big men.
"So the belief is that the Sixers may try to move Okafor this summer if Embiid is healthy," Pompey wrote. "If he isn't, they have to decide between Okafor and Noel."
According to Jake O'Donnell of Sports Grid, if the 76ers really intend to trade away the third overall pick of the 2015 draft class, the Washington Wizards are a possible destination.
O'Donnell suggested that the Sixers could offer a sign-and-trade with the Wizards for Bradley Beal, who is set to hit free agency this summer for a more lucrative contract.
"A sign-and-trade would improve the Wizard's interior scoring (they're 21st in the NBA this season), giving Philly the free agent superstar they've been unable to land the past few offseasons and Beal the keys to the franchise (and a lot of money)," O'Donnell wrote.
Okafor would give the Wizards a young talented big man, who could carry the scoring load from an aging Nene. The 20-year-old, who was forced to sit out the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a slight torn meniscus, has a season average of 17.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, while shooting a respective 50.8 percent from the field.
Meanwhile, Beal could be Philadelphia's next star to build around, along with Embiid and Noel, if in case the team really intends to trade Okafor. Beal is enjoying the best season of his career in terms of scoring, averaging 17.4 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting.
The Florida Gators product has proved at times that he could challenge to be one of the league's best shooting guard and that was evident in Beal's performance this season.
It remains to be seen whether there is mutual interest between the two teams for a sign-and-trade. But if the Wizards fail to reach the playoff this season, they could certainly explore such deal.
