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NBA: 5 players that desperately need a fresh start

By Morgan Dunn

DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 25: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks during play in the first quarter at American Airlines Center on February 25, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 25: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks during play in the first quarter at American Airlines Center on February 25, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 02: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against Frank Kaminsky III #44 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on November 2, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 02: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against Frank Kaminsky III #44 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on November 2, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Jahlil Okafor

Okafor is the player on this list most likely to actually receive a fresh start in short order. In fact, he could be traded before I’m finished writing this sentence. Okafor has expressed his desire to move on from Philadephia, and who could blame him? The guy has been involved in trade rumors for nearly his entire career.

Okafor was probably the worst high draft pick of Sam Hinkie’s tenure in Philadelphia, as the former GM passed on Kristaps Porzingis to select Okafor with the third pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. It may feel like Okafor has been around forever, but this is just his third season in the pros.

Okafor actually averaged 17.5 points per game on better than 50 percent shooting during his rookie season, but it’s been all downhill ever since. Most people think that Okafor doesn’t fit the modern NBA, as his plodding, back-to-the-basket ways are seen as outdated. However, there is still room for a player of his skill set in the NBA, even today.

Okafor’s confidence looks completely shot, so a change of scenery feels absolutely necessary at this point. There has to be at least one team willing to take a shot on a 21-year-old that won a National Championship and went third in the draft less than three years ago, right?

San Antonio feels like a potential destination for the former Duke star. Spurs head coach Greg Popovich has not shied away from playing some old-school basketball to start this season with Kawhi Leonard sidelined due to injury. If anyone could get the most out of Okafor, it’s the Spurs.

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Washington could use a scoring big like Okafor to give them a more well-rounded offensive punch. Memphis, Atlanta, and Chicago are all teams that should be looking for young talent. It probably won’t take much to pry Okafor away from the Sixers as the player-team relationship continues to crumble.

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