The Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks could be orchestrating a trade that would see Jahlil Okafor playing for the Big Apple.
Despite putting an already intriguing roster this season, the Knicks could still be players in the trade market, having been linked to Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe. On the other hand, the 76ers are also believed as a team keen to make moves in the offseason as Philadelphia attempts to address their frontcourt logjam by trading one of their young big men.
With both teams looking to make deals before the regular season starts, could the 76ers and Knicks work out a trade that would benefit in their respective campaigns?
James McArdell of the Daily Knicks, a fan site hosted by Sports Illustrated, explored the possibility of the Knicks acquiring Okafor from the 76ers. In McArdell's trade scenario, the Knicks would send Kyle O'Quinn, Justin Holiday, and a future draft pick for Okafor.
"...if New York can offer Holiday, O'Quinn, and one draft pick for Okafor, I say go for it. It's a long shot, but definitely worth it if Lance Stephenson is in the mix, as I hope he is," McArdell wrote.
Adding Okafor to an already scary frontcourt lineup would give the Knicks another threat at the low post and someone who could be willing to take a lesser role for a team that has plenty of veterans to guide him.
Okafor, who averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds last season before being sidelined by a knee injury, may not fit well playing an up-tempo offense under Jeff Hornacek, but should be an essential piece if New York decides to implement the triangle offense.
Meanwhile, the 76ers would get a shooter in Holiday and a solid backup forward in O'Quinn. With the 76ers looking to utilize Ben Simmons' playmaking abilities, Holiday should fit in nicely as an added shooter to the team's roster, while Quinn could get some minutes off the bench playing behind the 76ers' core of big men.
With teams like the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls having more interesting pieces to offer the 76ers, it is unlikely Philly give up Okafor to rotational players. Nevertheless, the 76ers would probably gauge Okafor's trade value and wait until the mid-season to make any moves.