Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Minnesota Timberwolves could be a potential destination for Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor, who could likely be the odd man out in Philly.
The 76ers have a glaring need to address their frontcourt logjam, and general manager Bryan Colangelo has not shied about their attempt to trade one of their big men. Among the 76ers' list of young centers, Okafor seems the odd man out, with Dario Saric and Ben Simmons on board, and Joel Embiid returning from injury.
"I think we can be a better basketball team if we can distribute that talent better. Maybe take one of those assets and address other needs on the roster," Colangelo told Sirius XM NBA Radio.
"I think right now it's best to say we like all of them, we want to see if we can make the most out of each of them. At the end of the day, the reality says one has to go at some point but only when the deal is right."
There should be plenty of teams lining up to acquire the services of Okafor, a skilled big man who can operate effectively at the post. While his defense is still an issue, Okafor would still be a boost to any team needing a scoring big man.
According to The Ringer's Jonathan Tjarks, the Minnesota Timberwolves would make an "interesting trade partner" for the 76ers, with the Wolves forming a scary frontcourt tandem of the Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns.
"They have a tantalizing collection of young assets, and Karl-Anthony Towns might be the ultimate unicorn in the NBA," Tjarks wrote.
"Towns' ability to pass and shoot from 20-plus feet would make Okafor nearly unguardable around the rim."
In Tjarks' trade scenario, the 76ers would send Okafor to Minny in exchange of a combination of Tyus Jones, Shabazz Muhammad, Gorgui Dieng and Adreian Payne. But one detailed deal that works in ESPN's trade machine would be a package of Muhammad and Jones.
Muhammad would give the 76ers a player who can space the floor. With Ben Simmons expected to command the floor, Muhammad, who has a career of 47.3 percent shooting from the field, should fit in nicely as a spot-up jumper or fastbreak weapon.
Jones, on the other hand, would provide Philadelphia a player whom they can develop as a complementary guard to Simmons. Jones only averaged 4.2 points and 2.9 assists in his rookie season with the Wolves. However, those were only accounted for 37 games and 15.5 minutes per contest. Jones could settle for a backup role behind Jerryd Bayless, but should be able to earn significant minutes with the 76ers' core of young talents.
There is no telling whether the Timberwolves would truly consider trading some of their young talents, but it seems viable if Minny could get Okafor in return.
Likewise, the 76ers could have hesitations trading Okafor for a pair of role players, but if the Wolves could include a guy like Ricky Rubio, it could be a deal worth the talent of Okafor.
