DeMarcus Cousins and Jahlil Okafor (Photo : TNS via Getty Images)
There is no doubt DeMarcus Cousins is a desirable acquisition for the Boston Celtics, but trading for the Sacramento Kings center may not be the right time yet, with a deal for Jahlil Okafor still on the table.
The Celtics could be a potential destination for DeMarcus Cousins if Sacramento decide to trade their All-Star center, who has established a rocky relationship with the Kings. But while it would be a tremendous boost for the Celtics acquiring a talented big man in Cousins, Danny Ainge may not be ready to cash in on a Cousins deal yet, with Boston still looking to make a transaction with the Philadelphia 76ers for Jahlil Okafor, according to Mitch Lawrence of Sporting News.
"Celtics president Danny Ainge might not be quite ready to pull the trigger on a Cousins deal, risky as it sounds. It appears as if he's still looking to make a deal with the Sixers for Jahlil Okafor, who has been slow to take the court in preseason after having offseason knee surgery, or giving this current roster a shot with Al Horford, Kelly Olynyk and Amir Johnson rotating between the big men spots," Lawrence wrote.
The Celtics had the chance to pull off a blockbuster deal involving Okafor before last season's deadline, but the 76ers reportedly "backed out" of the proposed deal. But considering Philadelphia's frontcourt situation, an Okafor deal may not be too far-fetched for Boston.
Okafor would help give the Celtics another scoring big man, who can allow Horford to slide into his natural position at the four spot. Okafor, who averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in his rookie season, also gives Boston a young talent whom they can develop into a perennial All-Star.
Trading for Okafor would also allow the Celtics to keep their core roster intact, instead of shipping assets to Sacramento for Cousins. A trade scenario that works under the salary guidelines is the Celtics sending a Kelly Olynyk or Marcus Smart plus a future draft pick to the Sixers for Okafor.
By adding Olynyk, the 76ers receive a big man who can stretch the floor, giving enough space for the team's other big men to operate inside the paint. Smart, on the other hand, provides Philly with a solid option at the point guard position, who could fill the gap left by an injured Ben Simmons.
It remains to be seen whether Okafor becomes the odd man out in Philadelphia, but he could be if things won't go well for the 76ers playing the season with three starting centers, and the Celtics offering an enticing package. Okafor isn't the kind of star the Celtics are looking for, but his game fits well under Brad Stevens' schemes.
Video courtesy: YouTube/FreeDawkins
