The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Ten NBA Teams Philadelphia 76ers Potential Trade Partners For Jahlil Okafor

By Bret Stuter

Feb 17, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; U.S. Team center Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers (8) drives to the basket World Team guard Alex Abrines of the Oklahoma City Thunder (8) during the Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; U.S. Team center Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers (8) drives to the basket World Team guard Alex Abrines of the Oklahoma City Thunder (8) during the Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 11
Next

Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards need help in the front court. Jahlil Okafor is a solid contributor. Should be a match right?

Well, that’s where it get dicey.  The Washington Wizards are barren of meaningful NBA draft picks in 2017.  The team traded their first round pick to the Brooklyn Nets.  That limits their first round action to 2019 and beyond.

More from Sixers News

They do have some second round picks, but those are virtually worthless when the team is a perennial playoff team.  They also have a poor man’s Markelle Fultz in the form of Trey Burke. While Burke has yet to “click” despite three season in the NBA, he has a solid perimeter shot at 44.3 percent accuracy.  Since the Philadelphia 76ers traded Noel for a solid player and two second round picks, perhaps that same value could be had from the Wizards.

Bench Boost

Once more, Okafor delivers immediate boost to the bench, and allows the team to rotate out Gortat on back to backs.  Giving up Burke and the 2017 and 2018 second round picks could hardly be considered crippling value given up..

In the end, the Wizards must perceive the need to address the front court. If they pass, they do not improve. It’s silly to presume no risks equals better rewards. Is Okafor a risk? Of course. But the Wizards lose little if he does not pan out. But if he does, they launch to the forefront of the NBA.