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Indiana Pacers Pursue Philadelphia 76ers Jahlil Okafor Latest NBA Rumor

By Bret Stuter

Feb 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; U.S player Jahlil Okafor (8) with the ball as World player Andrew Wiggins (22) defends in the second half during the Rising Stars Challenge basketball game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; U.S player Jahlil Okafor (8) with the ball as World player Andrew Wiggins (22) defends in the second half during the Rising Stars Challenge basketball game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the NBA Trade Deadline rapidly approaches, the latest NBA Rumor is now or never. The Indiana Pacers have kicked it up a notch in pursuit of Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor

The Indiana Pacers are a team with need. In a bit of a tail spin, bumping along at .500, and just good enough to taste post season but far too needy to take a big bite of a playoff banquet, they need to do something. Or rather, they need to get someone.  The Philadelphia 76ers have some players who could help. The latest NBA rumor suggests the Indiana Pacers think so too.

Perhaps Jahlil Okafor?

The Pacers have been linked to the Philadelphia 76ers in past NBA rumors.  In that round, the Pacers were believed to be interested in blowing up the team.

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    • With the latest NBA rumor, the Pacers are looking to build around the team’s star Paul George.  But why Okafor?

    The public forum has deeply discounted the worth of Okafor. Trade offers are made at a level to undervalue a player.  Recent leaked trade offers suggest deep discounts to Jahlil Okafor based on his struggles on defense.

    Okafor Fits Pacers

    But the 76ers are not scheming to shelter Okafor’s defensive limits, nor has the team been good enough to absorb coverage.  In fact, in his rookie season, Jahlil Okafor was asked to virtually carry the team.  That is when the 76ers did not have a defined point guard, had five players injured, and were making introductions to one another as they took the court together. At 19, he was asked to do too much.

    When the Indiana Pacers signed center Al Jefferson, Colin Cowherd named the Pacers a top five NBA team:

    My how things change.

    More from The Sixer Sense

    The Indiana Pacers fell to the Philadelphia 76ers this season, giving the 76ers their first victory of the season. In that game, Joel Embiid scored 25 points to seal the win. The Pacers young center, Miles Turner, disappeared in that game, scoring just five points in 21 minutes of play. Turner is more consistent now.  But Jefferson has supplied very little off the bench.

    MORE NBA RUMORS:  5 Reasons Philadelphia 76ers Trade Boston Celtics At NBA Trade Deadline

    Unload and Reload Costs Two Picks

    The Pacers are likely very interested in dumping Al Jefferson’s salary.

    Getting Jahlil Okafor in that transaction would be an ideal situation for them.   Okafor would push Turner hard for starting minutes, could compliment him as an offensive option while Turner played defense, and would be able to learn from one of the better players in the league in Thaddeus Young.

    So what would a deal like this look like?  Well, it would cost the Pacersa first to dump salary as well as a first to pick up a center/power forward prospect with high upside.

    In his NBA rumor, the Pacers are upgraded and have options for their lineups.

    Next: The Kings Assets are at Peak Value: The 76ers Should Sell

    The Philadelphia 76ers get a veteran center, take on salary, and free up the demand for prime time playing minutes at the center position.