The Sixer Sense
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NBA Rumors Indicate Wednesday Could be Okafor’s Last Game

By Josh Wilson

Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jahlil Okafor will play for the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, according to NBA rumors. It could, however, be his last game.

The Philadelphia 76ers seemingly had plenty of opportunities to say “yes” to a trade on Jahlil Okafor, but really missed out on a possible opportunity. Jahlil Okafor, for now, will remain a Philadelphia 76ers player, but without a doubt the team will keep looking to move him.

According to NBA rumors, Jahlil has arrived back with the team in Boston for the final game scheduled before the All-Star break. Keith Pompey reported that it is likely that Okafor will play on Wednesday. Not only does this indicate that a trade has probably fallen through, but it indicates that this could potentially be Okafor’s last game with the Sixers.

The Sixers were active in trying to move Okafor, and were unable to seal a deal over the last week. One would assume that over the next week and a half or so as teams have off for the now lengthened All-Star break, the Sixers will still be active in trying to move Okafor.

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If Bryan Colangelo learned anything at all over the last week, it should be that the value on his bigs is nowhere near where he thinks it is, and that he should pounce on almost any trade offered for a big. So I’m — logically — expecting Okafor to be traded.

That said, logic is not holding up with this Sixers team and the management of this team right now. So would I be surprised to see Okafor on this team on January 24th? Not at all.

As fans, we often forget about the human aspect of the game, and the fact that these guys are really people, too. Their careers are put on display for us, and that’s a really weird thing, when you think about it.

Jahlil, a 22-year-old making millions of dollars, has had to deal with fans hating him, the media blowing him up after some poor life decisions, and a team looking to trade him. How has he handled it? With class.

I’m not saying he didn’t ask for this life, all players pursuing a career in the NBA know stuff like that will come at some point. But Okafor hasn’t really done a whole lot to deserve this. Despite his on-court deficiencies, he’s shown nothing but respect to the organization that has so outwardly disrespected him.

He’ll come in on Wednesday and have to answer awkward questions about the recent things that happened, none of which was his fault. He’ll see his teammates in the locker room after likely having said a temporary goodbye on Saturday in case he was traded.

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He might be smart to say those goodbyes again.

Fans hope that this logjam is almost over, and that over the All-Star break, a trade involving Okafor is made. We just need to get this awful situation over with and move on.

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As for Wednesday night’s game, if it is his last game, I hope Okafor comes out strong. I hope he shows us glimpses of what he was last season on the offensive end — spin moves and crafty interior offense being impressive. As far as his stat line? I hope he scores 20 points and 10 rebounds, and shoves it in everyone’s face.