The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Okafor’s Destination of Preference is Chicago

By Josh Wilson

Nov 9, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia 76ers logo on the warm up shirt of center Jahlil Okafor (not pictured) prior to action against the Chicago Bulls at Wells Fargo Center. The Bulls won 111-88. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia 76ers logo on the warm up shirt of center Jahlil Okafor (not pictured) prior to action against the Chicago Bulls at Wells Fargo Center. The Bulls won 111-88. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

NBA trade rumors indicate that Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor‘s top choice of a landing destination is the Chicago Bulls.

The Philadelphia 76ers are rumored to be determined to trade Jahlil Okafor before the 3pm NBA trade deadline hits on Thursday. After a shaky start to the season for the Sixers with all three centers, it was clear almost immediately after they were all healthy at one point that the Sixers could not move forward effectively with Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, and Joel Embiid.

Something had to give, and it was clear that Noel was more valuable to this specific team’s identity, as his stellar defense really helped layer the Sixers effectiveness when Embiid was on the bench. So Okafor has been the man to be moved for some time now.

To no surprise, Okafor really wants to head to the Chicago Bulls.

Okafor’s hometown is actually Chicago, so for a player who has not faced the greatest start to his career, being around his hometown and some familiar faces could really help him regroup, recuperate, and hit the rest of his season strong. As fans, we often ignore that these players are humans, too, and being forced to move far away from your family and hometown to chase your dream can be tough.

Must Read: Ersan Ilyasova is Gone

It seems to have been especially tough for Okafor.

As far as what the Bulls would give up, Some Sixers fans are expecting a lot, but I would assume that the return value is going to be pretty slim. According to Marc Stein, Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott, and Nikola Mirotic are the biggest names on the trading block for Chicago.

Really, the only appealing thing on that list is Doug McDermott. McDermott, who is in his third NBA season — all with the Bulls — averages 14.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per 36 minutes (per game he averages 10.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists). He shoots a decent 37.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 44.5 percent from the field.

The other players are frontcourt players themselves, and would only add to the questions that the Sixers have moving forward, where moving Okafor is supposed to solve a lot of questions.

Next: Chicago Pushing Hard for Okafor

Whatever ends up happening, Sixers fans — and probably Okafor, too — really just want to see a trade made and get Okafor out of Philly. His existence as a Sixers player is good for no one, Okafor included. I personally am hoping the best deal is in Chicago so we can see just how helpful being home will be for Jah.