Jahil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 9, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo : Getty Images/Andy Lyons)
Aside from Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor is probably the most talked about player in the National Basketball Association trade rumor mill. Despite being included in tons of trade talks, it seems like the 76ers cannot pull the trigger in dealing Okafor but with less than a week left before the NBA trade deadline, the promising big man might have another team to play for.
In the 76ers last five games, Okafor received two Did Not Plays, and the reason behind it is that teams have expressed interest in him but unfortunately, Philadelphia could not quite make the trade happen. In those two games against the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat, Okafor was benched due to a potential trade deal to the Portland Trail Blazers, Bleacher Report reported.
Despite being an offensive behemoth by averaging 11.4 points and 4.8 boards in just 23 minutes of play, the former Duke University star has been a liability for the 76ers defensively. Since late December 2016, Philadelphia has not paraded a lineup with Okafor and star center Joel Embiid sharing frontcourt dutires as teaming both centers proved to have a negative effect on the team.
On another team, Okafor may flourish as his back-to-basket play is already polished and he can bully defenders with his burly physique. One team that has shown interest in him is the Dallas Mavericks, Fan Sided reported. The Mavericks might lose center Andrew Bogut in the long run as the Aussie has expressed he has no plans staying in Dallas for a long period of time.
But the Mavericks do not have a lot to offer and having a third team facilitator might be the best shot they got. If Dallas ever lands Okafor, he might be player the Mavericks builds their team around as Dirk Nowitzki is expected to retire soon.
Watch the video below of Okafor's excellent outing against the San Antonio Spurs:
