Jahlil Okafor (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers could move Jahlil Okafor before the season starts, and rumors are rampant about the Boston Celtics being the big man's top destination.
The 76ers revisited talks about potentially trading one of their big men, who could either be Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Sixers do not believe Okafor and Noel are complementary at each other talent-wise, which would likely force Philly to unload either one of them in hopes of addressing the team's crowded frontcourt.
"The Sixers have had periodic trade talks this summer involving Noel and Okafor and plan eventually to move one of them, league sources said. Philadelphia doesn't believe the two players' talents are complementary," Woj wrote.
Many believe Okafor may end up as the odd man out in Philadelphia, with his skillset deem as unfitting to the team's core of young talents led by Ben Simmons. But, Okafor, who averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game last season, could still be a tremendous boost to contending teams like the Celtics, who have also been linked to have interests in acquiring the 20-year-old center.
In 12UP writer Nick Brown's "realistic trades" that could happen before the season starts, one of the scenarios involved is Okafor joining the Celtics, which is "bound to happen at some point," with the 76ers stacked at the frontcourt.
The Celtics have all the assets to make such trade happen, but they would probably be wise not to give up too much for Okafor. It is no secret that Celtics manager Danny Ainge is still angling for another puzzle piece to turn the franchise into legit title contenders this season, but has been insistent about not "sacrificing future assets."
"If it's something that gets us to being a true championship contender faster, we're all for it," Ainge told CBS Local.
Trading for Okafor won't probably cost the Celtics too much, but there is a growing sense the 76ers would ask for a future draft pick to be included in any potential deal.
A trade before the 2016-2017 regular season starts seems unlikely, with the 76ers seem ready to give the composition of their roster a try to thrive. But if all things fail for the Sixers once again, expect the Celtics to be among the players exploring trades for Okafor.
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