Trade Rumors: Will Jahlil Okafor Get Dealt?

NBA trade rumors are heating up, but will it result in Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers getting traded or, will he remain with the team?

It has been a rough few weeks for Jahlil Okafor. Consistently being in trade rumors must be tough, especially for a second year player. Then to get benched and look certain to get traded, to only get reinstated with the team a few days later must be messing with Okafor and his head. But Okafor has gained a lot of respect amongst Philadelphia 76ers fans with the way he has handled this tremendously messy situation.

Before February 13, there were reportedly up to 10 teams interested in the 76ers center. However, since then, we’ve seen an astronomical amount of big men traded; Jusuf Nurkic was swapped for Mason Plumlee, Serge Ibaka was moved to division rival Toronto Raptors, and most recently, DeMarcus Cousins was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. All of these teams were rumored to be interested in Okafor.

The Chicago Bulls and the Dallas Mavericks remain as the only teams left who have shown interest in Jahlil Okafor that haven’t made a trade.

Three of the four teams PHI talked to about a Jahlil Okafor trade have acquired a center (DEN, POR, NOLA). CHI is only team that hasn't.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 20, 2017

A trade with the Bulls would see Okafor return home, the 76ers could also nab a few decent assets. It’s hard to see the Bulls parting ways with any first round picks as they look to be entering a rebuild. The Bulls trading young players such as Doug McDermott and Denzel Valentine look far more likely.

Similarly, the Mavericks would give up a young piece like Justin Anderson and a future first or second round pick. It seems like this is Okafor’s value and the Sixers should take an offer like this before his value drops further.

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The Celtics sill remain as a potential landing spot for Okafor. After seeing the Raptors make a big trade for Ibaka, perhaps the Celtics are thinking they need a trade to maintain the second seed in the east. Avery Bradley would be unlikely to be involved in a deal, but Terry Rozier or even Jaylen Brown may be included in any potential deal.

Alternatively, Okafor could be used as a trading piece in a blockbuster three-team trade. There’s a lot of rumors circulating around Jimmy Butler, as the Pacers and Celtics are both reportedly pursuing him.

Paul George have also been involved as a piece in trade talks, with the Celtics and Pelicans expressing interest in the forward. Nuggets forwards Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari are more top players who have emerged as trade targets for contenders. It’s definitely not out of the Sixers realm to make a big multi-team trade at the deadline.

It clear to see that Okafor’s value around the league has dropped significantly, Bryan Colangelo has to realize this if he is to make a trade by the deadline. Colangelo has repeatedly said that he will not make a bad deal for the 76ers, but is he overvaluing Okafor?

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Time will tell if Colangelo caves in on a deal for Jahlil Okafor. But I think it’s likely that Colangelo will find a way to involve Okafor in a three team trade.