Rudy Gay of the Sacramento Kings is already in the thick of NBA trade rumors and as Kings GM Vlade Divac struggles to find the best deal, he might need to be creative.
While the common notion for the Kings is that they need to fill out the point guard spot, because of Gay's public criticism of the Kings, Divac may have to settle for players on the block.
One player that has been on the block even before the draft is Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers. With the impending return of Joel Embiid, the Sixers have a definite logjam at the center spot. However, the Sacramento Kings also have a logjam at the position and they even have the best center in DeMarcus Cousins.
A three-way trade could be the key. One team that has interest in Jahlil Okafor is the Chicago Bulls. Okafor is a Chicago native and they could develop him as the team's center of the future. The Bulls have Robin Lopez but Okafor can offer solid low-post scoring that Lopez lacks in his game.
According to Sports Illustrated team blog The Sixer Sense, the rumors on the Bulls interest have persisted.
"Jahlil Okafor is a true NBA center with tremendous upside, he simply needs the right environment. Chicago may be the place, and this may be the occasion to do so. It's worth keeping an eye on," Bret Stuter of TSS reasoned.
It was suggested that Taj Gibson be the trade piece for Okafor but the Sixers also have a power forward coming in from Croatia. Dario Saric has been impressive in the Rio Olympics for their national team and he may be penciled in for the position.
What the Sixers need is veteran scoring talent, preferably at the wing. Rudy Gay could be the man for the job. Inquisitr also reported the Okafor - Gibson trade but the fit was not thoroughly considered.
Sending Gay to the Sixers and Gibson to the Kings would be better. Gibson is better than any power forward that the Kings have, which is basically Anthony Tolliver and converting one of their centers.
This is still a theoretical trade but all three players involved are on the block. There is a real possibility that this or a variation of the suggested deal could take place.