Jahlil Okafor could be an option for the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers could be a potential destination for Jahlil Okafor in a three-way trade involving the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers.
The Cavs have been able to retain most of their championship core and has done the most important signing this summer after securing LeBron James to a three-year $100 million contract. But even with James secured to defend the Cavs' title, it would be hard for Cleveland to do such task without any significant upgrades in their roster.
One possible option the Cavs may explore is adding Philadelphia 76ers big man Jahlil Okafor, who has been touted as the likely odd man out in Philly, according to several reports.
The 76ers are among the teams that have been in the center of trade talks this offseason, and many believe Okafor is the expendable piece in the team's plethora of big men.
Adding Okafor would give the Cavs a scoring center and an offensive threat inside the paint. Okafor, who averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in his rookie season, could slide Kevin Love to his natural position at the four spot.
While Okafor isn't exactly known for his defense, it is something that can be developed playing under Tyronn Lue. Tristan Thompson's defensive efficiency should also cover any of Okafor's flaws on that end.
The Cavs could send Iman Shumpert in a potential deal, although it is likely the 76ers ask for more in return. But if both teams could get a third team like the Lakers, it could sweeten the pot for the 76ers.
In a trade scenario that works on ESPN's trade machine, the 76ers would send Okafor to the Cavs and Carl Landry to the Lakers. Philadelphia then receives Shumpert and Young as added veterans to the team's young core of talents.
This deal makes sense for the 76ers, who seems set to maximize Ben Simmons full potential as a playmaker. By adding Shumpert and Young, the Sixers get a pair of outside shooters to surround Simmons, as well as added depth to the team's thin backcourt.
Shumpert struggled to shoot beyond the arc last season, but proved he is still capable of being an outside threat at times. With Mike Dunleavy on board, the Cavs may certainly consider moving Shumpert.
On the other hand, the Lakers are reportedly still trying to trade Young, according to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report. Likewise, Young also performed poorly last season, but with the exception of playing very limited minutes and his rocky relationship with Byron Scott. Playing for the 76ers should revitalize Young's career and could help in turning himself the scorer that he is.
Meanwhile, Landry gives the Lakers assurance at the frontcourt position, with Timofey Mozgov nursing a groin injury. Landry, who averaged 9.8 points and 4.1 rebounds for the 76ers, while only playing 15.8 minutes in 36 games, can also serve as mentor to the likes of Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr. and Tarik Black.
It remains to be seen whether the Cavs are truly interested in trading for Okafor, but the current composition of their roster suggests they need to fill a hole at the center position.
