Jahlil Okafor (Photo : Getty Images)
All the NBA trade rumors point to the Philadelphia 76ers dealing Jahlil Okafor before the February 23 deadline. However, the injury to Joel Embiid's knee complicates things for the Sixers. Should Philly still trade Okafor despite the injury to Embiid?
The Sixers have been trying to trade Okafor since last season and the emergence of Embiid as the franchise star makes it an easy decision. But just ten days before the trade deadline, the Sixers announce that "The Process" has a meniscus tear in his left knee.
"A lot of players do play with minor tears. Once again, the injury is thought to be mostly about the bone bruise and that's what he's being treated for. If he can show he is healthy and able to play, there is no reason he shouldn't play. This is not thought to be a severe injury," Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo told the reporters on Sunday, per Yahoo! Sports.
The injury to Embiid is not requiring surgery so Sixers can breathe for now but the team should be even more cautious. The question is the still the same. Should the Sixers trade Okafor now that Embiid could miss more time?
The answer is yes and the Sixers know as they are close to dealing Okafor. According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer News, the Sixers are progressing in trading the Duke product before the deadline. Some of the teams linked with Okafor include the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets.
The Pelicans and Bulls are his most likely destinations since the Blazers and Nuggets already made a deal involving centers Jusuf Nurkic and Mason Plumlee. The Pelicans are looking for someone to relieve pressure on offense on Anthony Davis while the Bulls are just looking to rebuild.
The Sixers still have Nerlens Noel and Richaun Holmes as capable backups for Embiid. The playoffs are a longshot but playing together is vital for their progression next season. Ben Simmons is also ready to play after the All-Star break which eases the loss of Okafor.
The 21-year-old center was selected third overall in the 2015 NBA Draft and he had shown glimpses of his offensive potential. However, Okafor's poor rebounding and defense for his size makes it difficult for teams to considering him a franchise cornerstone, per FiveThirtyEight.
