NBA Trade Rumors: As training camp approaches, the Philadelphia 76ers are still interested in moving Jahlil Okafor
NBA training camp opens in less than a week for most teams. Although, there are still a handful of them still trying to shape their roster ahead of the official start of the 2017-18 campaign.
One of those teams is the Philadelphia 76ers. But the Sixers aren’t necessarily trying to add talent; they’re trying to unleash it. At least that’s the impression Sixers coach Brett Brown left with local reporters Wednesday.
According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Brown essentially told reporters that the Sixers are still expected to shop Jahlil Okafor ahead of the season. Whether they’re able to move him or not is an entirely different story, though.
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Nevertheless, they’re going to try.
"[via Pompey]Brown said Sixers will check with the rest of the league to see what’s out there for Jahlil Okafor.….They are going to play him and let him battle for a spot. But let’s face it, he’ll have a better opportunity to start elsewhere."
Okafor isn’t new to the NBA’s rumor mill. He’s almost been traded many times over his young career, which is unfortunate. Although, I don’t think there’s a player in the NBA currently that’s in need of a change of scenery more than Okafor.
His game simply isn’t a fit next to Joel Embiid, and the Sixers aren’t in need of another big. It’s quite clear that Okafor needs to be moved. Problem is, up until now, the Sixers haven’t found a trade package that would appease them.
Moving Okafor is easily said than done. Even though the Sixers and Okafor don’t mesh, it’s important to remember that this is a former No. 2 overall pick. So, it’s not like the Sixers could simply flip Okafor for a late first-round or second-round pick. Can’t happen. They, at the very least, need to save some face in any potential trade.
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With that in mind, it’s probably best for both parties to get a trade done much sooner than later.