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Philadelphia 76ers: Four Unlikely Trade Destinations for Jahlil Okafor

By Lucas Johnson

Feb 21, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) reacts to a foul call during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) reacts to a foul call during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 14, 2016; Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2016; Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Bulls

Leading up to and during the NBA Draft early this year, there were plenty of rumors about the Philadelphia 76ers trying to swap Okafor for Jimmy Butler. since then, however, there has not been any noise about that.

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The Bulls are trying to build around Butler now with aging guards with the great Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, along with defensive center Robin Lopez. The Bulls mean well in trying to get a championship now, but Rondo has never played nice with others, and Wade is starting to decline; let it be noted that even though Wade is on the decline he is still one of the top players at his position. Lopez, who is already in his prime, is a good defensive anchor but is never going to average more than 10 to 12 points a game.

The Bulls need to go into a rebuild if they like to admit it or not. Luckily, Rondo could be gone after a year, and Wade would be fine with a mini rebuild, because he is in his home town. Butler is the obvious piece to build around and because he is an alpha on the perimeter. It would make sense for the Bulls to find a dominating offensive force on the inside to compliment him. Enter in Okafor. If Lopez does not mind coming off the bench and teaching Okafor how to be a defensive center, then the center rotation in the Windy City would be scary.

The question becomes — what could the Bulls give in return for Okafor? They would have to send a top 2 protected pick as well as Doug McDermott and Denzel Valentine. Okafor has the potential to be a franchise changing player, the asking of a nice role player in McDermott, a potential All-Star in Valentine and a lightly protected pick seems more than fair. If the Bulls did do this deal, they would need to trade or release one of their other big men.

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