Jahlil Okafor and Jimmy Butler (Photo : Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers could swap center Jahlil Okafor for Chicago Bulls rising star Jimmy Butler as Philly still searches for a star whom they could inject in their youthful squad.
The 76ers have failed to lure any proven star this summer despite having enough cap and core of young players to entice top free agents to play in Philadelphia. This opens up a possibility for the 76ers to explore trades involving one of their young big men in hopes of bolstering their lineup heading into a win-now era.
On the other hand, the Bulls are slowly shifting to a new era of their own after trading Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks and losing Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah to free agency. While the Bulls are able to keep hold of Butler, there is a possibility Chicago could still make him available as part of the team's attempt to rebuild.
Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald claimed the 76ers and the Bulls are still open to trading Okafor and Butler, but would likely require an enticing trade package. While Bulpett noted the report in context of the Boston Celtics pursuing the two aforementioned players, Josh Wilson of Sports Illustrated's Fansided believes it "brings up a possibility of Butler for Okafor" trade scenario.
"Obviously the Bulls don't do this deal on its own, and the Sixers would have to pitch in some future draft picks and/or players, but I think it's a real possibility," Wilson wrote.
"The Sixers have plenty of players to send to the Bulls, and draft picks that they can use to help rebuild in the future. Okafor sweetens the deal a ton, too, and the Bulls could use the hometown narrative with Okafor to help get the fans behind the move in Chicago."
If the 76ers really want to become a winning team next season, then trading for a star like Butler is one of the options they should consider. Surely, Philadelphia would trade anyone in their roster not named Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, and it could be enough to entice the Bulls to part ways with Butler, who has been consistently linked in trade rumors in the past few months.
With Dwyane Wade set to stage a homecoming in Chicago, the Bulls could incline more at trading Butler, Wade has proven he can co-exist with other stars as what was the case during his Miami Heat days with LeBron James and Chris Bosh. While the same thing can be said towards Butler, Wade could undermine the two-time All-Star to a lesser role in Chicago.
Wade would likely thrive with the Bulls playing alongside a talented center like Okafor. With Okafor manning the paint, Wade has more leverage of playing his outside game, which is preferable considering his age.
It is undetermined whether the 76ers and the Bulls would be open to such deal, especially if it involves their young talents. But if both teams think it could help in their cause, it is a trade worth exploring.
