Philadelphia 76ers rookie center Jahlil Okafor is reportedly on the trading block. (Photo : Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors continue as more teams emerge as candidates for the Philadelphia 76ers tandem.
The mighty San Antonio Spurs went on an unexpected exit in the Western Conference semi-finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder. One of the painful realities in that series was the steep decline of Tim Duncan who was hardly a factor.
Now, two young centers are entering the trade market with the Sixers declaration that they would explore offers from teams, as reported by ESPN.
"Sources told ESPN that the Sixers are determined to gauge the trade market for both Okafor and Noel and are increasingly likely to move at least one of them in conjunction with the draft, in which Philadelphia holds the No. 1 overall selection for the first time since selecting Allen Iverson in 1996," the report stated.
With the San Antonio Spurs at the crossroads of building their next dynasty, their consistent success disqualifies them from getting lottery picks. Thus, they need to trade for players or sign them as free agents. There are a host of free agent targets for the team, but a trade for a young center with "old school" post moves similar to the Big Fundamental would be interesting.
Spurs team site Air Alamo has explored the possibility of their team targeting the former Duke Blue Devil. He averaged close to 18 points and 7 rebounds while being in an awkward combo with fellow center Nerlens Noel and the Sixers not having a consistent point guard. Most pundits believe that he could thrive in a better set-up.
Is there a better set-up than the San Antonio Spurs who made a legend out of a smart, low post player? That may seem ideal, but the big question would be what the Spurs can offer the Sixers in return.
The most glaring need for the Sixers is a point guard, ideally not a rookie as their roster is not short on youth. Tony Parker has all the experience that the Sixers could need. The Spurs could also throw in Danny Green for shooting(another Sixers need) and Patty Mills as the Spurs rebuild their backcourt.
This trade will free up cap space for the Spurs, enough to pursue Mike Conley as previously rumored. Okafor, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard and Mike Conley plus a better option at shooting guard would make the Spurs a fearsome squad.
The big question is whether the Sixers would bite on this offer as Ian Smith of Air Alamo mentioned that it's "unlikely to be better than other packages that teams with high draft picks or veterans with gaudier numbers to offer."
While this trade does address their needs, they are reported to be in pursuit of another lottery pick. Other interested teams could present better options like the Celtics or the Lakers who wield the no.3 and no.2 picks.
Still, the Spurs could take a shot. They aren't the best managed professional sports team for nothing.
