Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

The Jahlil Okafor era in Philadelphia will be over soon

By Michael Saenz

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 09: Jahil Okafor #8 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. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 09: Jahil Okafor #8 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. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

NBA Rumors: From all indications, the Jahlil Okafor era for the Philadelphia 76ers will be over by the end of the 2017-18 season

When Jahlil Okafor was taken third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2015 NBA Draft, I don’t think anyone envisioned he’d be struggling to break the teams rotation just two years later.

Simply put, Okafor was born in the wrong NBA era. Fifteen to 20 years ago, Okafor would’ve been the ideal big man. His large, sturdy frame and his polished back-to-the-basket offense would’ve been embraced and built around in the 1990’s.

However, in today’s NBA game, there’s simply no room for it. In fact, Okafor has turned into a minus player whenever he’s on the floor. Okafor struggles to stick with the NBA’s new big men, which are as big as Okafor but more agile, and his inability to stretch the defense clogs the paint.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

With that said, the nightmare is almost over the Philadelphia fans. The Sixers have reportedly elected not to exercise the fourth-year option for Okafor. Which means, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent after the 2017-18 season.

"[via ESPN]The Philadelphia 76ers will not exercise the fourth-year, $6.3 million option for center Jahlil Okafor, a source confirmed to ESPN.…Unless the 76ers are able to trade him, Okafor will become an unrestricted free agent in 2018. Sources told ESPN last week that the Sixers were working to deal Okafor because he had fallen out of the rotation."

Even if the Sixers fail to trade Okafor by the NBA’s trade deadline, it seems that his stint with the Sixers will be over by the summer.

Question is, how will Okafor be remembered in Philly? He actually has a strange resume. During his rookie season, Okafor looked really good (save for defense).

Okafor averaged 17.5 points and seven rebounds per game during his rookie season. He followed that up with 12-point, five rebound sophomore year. It has all led to a third season in which Okafor can’t even crack in the rotation. He’s only played in one game this season, one in which Joel Embiid sat out due to rest.

Must Read: Forget the future: Kristaps Porzingis is the here and now

There’s no question that Jahlil Okafor will get another shot in the NBA. Although, his story is one cautionary tale.