Jahlil Okafor (Photo : Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls are rumored to be frontrunners to trade for Jahlil Okafor, with the Philadelphia 76ers getting Taj Gibson in a potential trade deal.
It is no secret the 76ers are one of the teams exploring the trade market as they try to address a crowded frontcourt. There are several rumors linking Jahlil Okafor as the likely odd man out in Philadelphia, and a handful of teams, including the Boston Celtics, have been touted as possible destinations for the 20-year-old center.
The Celtics have plenty of trade assets to orchestrate a trade for Okafor, making them as the top favorite to reach a deal with the 76ers. But according to James McArdle of Sports Illustrated's Fansided, the Chicago Bulls are also considered frontrunners in landing Okafor, with Taj Gibson as the main piece of any potential deal.
"I can agree the Celtics are definite front-runners, and possibly even the Bulls, who could move Taj Gibson for the 76ers big man," McArdle wrote.
Okafor, who averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds a game in his rookie season, would provide the Bulls a scoring threat inside the paint, something the team lacks after letting Pau Gasol walk away this summer.
With Robin Lopez, whom the Bulls acquired from the New York Knicks via Derrick Rose trade, not expected to contribute on the offensive end consistently, adding a scorer like Okafor should help secure the team's frontcourt.
While a straight swap of Okafor for Gibson works on ESPN's trade machine, a deal hardly makes sense for the 76ers, who already have a plethora of big men in their lineup. But adding Tony Snell or a future draft pick in the mix may convince Philadelphia to budge. Gibson would give the 76ers a veteran presence who can guide the team's young big men, while Snell should provide Philly another piece to surround Ben Simmons.
It is unclear whether the Bulls truly have a genuine interest in acquiring Okafor, but his increasing availability should give the team a decent chance of landing the Chicago native. Surely, exchanging him for Gibson won't work, but adding a trade piece or two would probably do the trick.
