Jahlil Okafor (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Oklahoma City Thunder could acquire Jahlil Okafor from the Philadelphia 76ers in hopes of surrounding Russell Westbrook with talented pieces and stay afloat in the Western Conference.
The Thunder bounced back from what could have been a devastating offseason after securing Westbrook to a three-year $85 million contract extension. But even with Westbrook still around to carry OKC, the team still lacks one or two talented players to remain strong contenders in the West.
According to Isaac Harris of The Smoking Cuban, a fan site hosted by Sports Illustrated, a trade option that would make sense for the Thunder is Philadelphia 76ers big man Jahlil Okafor, who could be the odd man out in Philly.
In Harris' trade scenario, the Thunder would send Andre Roberson and Cameron Payne to the Sixers for Okafor.
"Okafor could come in and replace Serge Ibaka as the team's starting power forward. Getting the big man in OKC would show that OKC is not just about winning now, but for the future too. Okafor's offense would be on display as the Thunder would finally have a post presence next to Adams down low," Harris wrote.
"Considering the situation Philly is in with a loaded frontcourt, along with some off the court issues with Okafor last year, his value probably isn't as high as Philly would like. But getting Payne, Roberson, and picks could be something worth entertaining."
Such deal would essentially work on ESPN's trade machine, but it is highly unlikely the Thunder give up Roberson and Payne for a one-way player like Okafor.
Roberson and Payne, despite only playing limited minutes during the regular season, were essential to the Thunder's success. Roberson, who averaged 4.8 points per game last season, played a key role in the Thunder's postseason stint, while Payne also showed potential to be a solid backup PG behind Westbrook.
Moreover, it would make little sense for the Thunder to acquire another Okafor, with the Oklahoma already loaded at the frontcourt led by Steven Adams and Enes Kanter. Adding Okafor as a replacement for Ibaka at the four spot would also hinder the development of Domantas Sabonis playing the power forward position.
The 76ers, meanwhile, would benefit well from this type of trade. Roberson and Payne would boost the team's backcourt, while addressing the need to unload one of their young big men.
It would be interesting to see whether the Thunder has a genuine interest in acquiring Okafor and whether they have a chance at doing so. But with Joel Embiid declaring himself 100 percent healthy for the upcoming season, things may not bode well for Okafor's stint in Philadelphia, and it may just be the opening teams like the Thunder need to pry the 20-year-old out of Philly.
