Jahlil Okafor warms up prior to the game against the Utah Jazz on October 30, 2015. (Photo : Getty Images/Mitchell Leff)
Jahlil Okafor was in a lot of trade rumors this offseason as the Philadelphia 76ers has a glut of frontcourt players. One of the unlikely team that is linked with Okafor at the moment is the Portland Trail Blazers that are in need of a third star to join Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
The buzz surrounding Okafor has died down in the past several weeks but it started again with the training camp right around the corner. NBA teams are looking for one final trade or signings to improve their roster and chances of succeeding next season.
The Sixers have been trying to trade Okafor and Nerlens Noel for the past couple of months. Last year's second overall pick is the likely player to be dealt first since Noel's defense is more important than Okafor's scoring.
According to Lucas Johnson of Sixer Sense, the Blazers still need a low-post scoring threat and the 21-year-old big man provides them that. The team recently signed Festus Ezeli to a two-year deal but his injury history is very alarming.
Ezeli underwent knee injection in his left knee two weeks ago and he is set to miss six weeks, per the Blazers official website. It is very concerning since it is not the first injury to his knee. He missed a bunch of games for the Golden State Warriors last season and even missed the entire 2013-14 season due to knee surgery.
Johnson suggested that Portland trade recently re-signed shooting guard Allen Crabbe along with two first round picks to the Sixers for Okafor. He opined that it is a fair trade for both teams and the Blazers finally becoming a top contender in the Western Conference.
It should be noted that these are just purely speculative at this point but the Sixers will likely pull a trade at the deadline. They probably have to wait and see if Joel Embiid stays healthy while Ben Simmons and Dario Saric acclimate themselves in the NBA.
If the Blazers do not pull the trigger on a possible trade for Okafor, there are still teams that might get it done. The Duke product has been linked with teams such as the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Check out the video below for Okafor's Top 10 Plays of the 2015-16 NBA season.
