After the Philadelphia 76ers drafted center Jahlil Okafor, there was high hopes for him to turn into a franchise-changing player. However, with the 76ers experiencing a backcourt logjam after picking consecutive big men in the recent drafts, Okafor will be sooner than later shipped to another team and his recent benching is a proof to that.
In the 76ers 117-109 victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday night, the sophomore center was benched after league sources told ESPN that Okafor is currently being included in a trade. Philadelphia coach Brett Brown confirmed the rumors, saying that since the National Basketball Association is nearing the trade deadline in Feb. 23, the reality of trade rumors goes higher and higher each day.
Brown added that if Okafor will still be dealt with a DNP-Coach's Decision (did not play), the reason is the former Duke University standout is being included in trade talks. A benching in the 76ers 105-99 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday proved that Okafor's time with Philly is still in the balance.
According to rumors, the Portland Trail blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls and Denver Nuggets are among the teams that have talked to 76ers. The Pelicans and the Bulls are said to express the most interest in Okafor, Fansided reported, since the Trail Blazers and the Nuggets have already participated in trades, exchanging Mason Plumlee and Jusuf Nurkic and their draft picks.
Okafor is averaging 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in just 23.2 minutes of play and he is reportedly to be back on the 76ers' rotation as Philadelphia faces the Boston Celtics today. Should he stay in Philadelphia, Okafor would not flourish as what critics expected him to be with Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel being the main choices for the 76ers backcourt. Okafor could only hope for he plays for another team that is in need of his services.