The Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls could become perfect trade partners for Jahlil Okafor and Jimmy Butler.
Josh Wilson of Sports Illustrated's Fansided noted a handful of reasons the Bulls could become a perfect trading partner for the 76ers in a potential deal involving incoming sophomore Jahlil Okafor and rising star Jimmy Butler. Among the factors Wilson claimed is the Bulls likely entering a rebuild in the offseason following the Derrick Rose to the Knicks trade and the potential departure of key free agents.
"Look, the Bulls and Sixers are both in odd places. The Sixers are coming off of one of the worst NBA seasons in history, and the Bulls just traded away Derrick Rose and seem to be losing pieces of their franchise every single day," Wilson wrote.
"The Bulls need more pieces, bottom line, and one of those pieces could be Jahlil Okafor. Okafor, who was raised in Chicago, has been brought up as a possible trade piece for the Sixers since the team has so many big men."
The Bulls seem to be ready to move on from their core roster after a blockbuster trade that sent Rose to the Knicks in return for Jerian Grant, Jose Calderon and Robin Lopez. It remains to be seen whether the deal would completely become a setback for Chicago, but the team may already be heading that way, with Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah unlikely to return with the Bulls this summer.
Backup center Taj Gibson is also rumored to be on the trading block, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
"To add some further clouds to the Bulls frontcourt rotation, a league source said that the Bulls have been talking to several teams about the possibility of moving Taj Gibson," Cowley wrote.
Despite drafting Denzel Valentine and bringing in Lopez via trade, the Bulls still need a center capable of scoring in the post. Okafor would fit that bill after averaging 17.5 points in his rookie season with the 76ers.
Okafor won't be expected to immediately develop into a defensive anchor inside the paint, but it could be acceptable if the Bulls could bring in a rim-protector.
On the other hand, Butler would provide an instant impact to the 76ers, forming a formidable duo with first overall pick Ben Simmons. Butler's ability to score and defend would take off pressure for the Australian phenom to pile up points and focus more in his strength of distributing the ball.
However, the Bulls have been very reluctant to trade away Butler, who has been linked to numerous trade talks, including a potential move to the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves. Moreover, it is highly unlikely the Bulls give up their two-time All-Star for Okafor's value.
There is no confirmation whether both teams have mutual interests in dealing their respective tradable assets. But if the Bulls intends to completely blow up, the 76ers still make a perfect partner for a trade.