The Philadelphia 76ers are heavily involved in NBA trade rumors, and are reportedly have talked to 10 or 11 teams about Jahlil Okafor.
Last week, it was reported by Sam Amick of USA Today that the Philadelphia 76ers were engaging in NBA trade rumors and talking to about 8 teams in regards to Jahlil Okafor and the possibility of moving him.
According to Keith Pompey of Philly.com, that count on teams is now up to, “10 to 11.”
"But he has been the subject of trade talks with 10 to 11 teams, including the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers."
That line appeared in the very last line of Pompey’s column after speaking with Embiid during his media availability at NBA All-Star weekend. It brings up a few interesting questions.
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Bluff teams, or real deals?
The Sixers did a bluff of sorts when they kept Okafor out of last Saturday’s game and also didn’t fly him to Monday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets. It looks like the plan was to make it look like deals were close all around the league regarding Okafor to get the ball rolling and trick a team to pull the trigger with the fear of missing out on Okafor looming.
The bluff didn’t work, and it was later reported that interest from the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers was minimal at best.
So, it brings up the question — if it was reported that a large amount of the “eight” teams that the Sixers were talking to were bluffs, are these extra two or three teams now being counted in bluff teams, or teams that have significant interest in Okafor?
Who are the 2-3 new teams?
Of course, an obvious question is, “who are these teams?” With only four teams confirmed to have inquired about Okafor at this point, and 6-7 left unnamed, there’s serious questions about what the interest is regarding Okafor right now, as well as what teams are giving up.
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Is it true that the Sixers are shopping more than Jahlil?
It was also reported that the Sixers are still active on the trade front in regards to other players, and have been looking to trade just about anyone that isn’t Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid. What’s interesting, though, is that nothing seems to be coming up regarding any other players.
It seems like the idea that the Sixers are looking to trade anyone other than Jah is a false idea, but who knows what’s happening behind closed doors.