With Jahlil Okafor‘s tenure all but done here in Philly, who should be calling the Philadelphia 76ers about some potential offers?
It’s only a matter of time before Jahlil Okafor is out of Philly. He has publicly stated that he wants a buyout or a trade, while recent reports indicate the Philadelphia 76ers have some potential deals on the table. His value is low, and he’s little more than a distraction at this point.
He needs — and deserves — to be playing elsewhere.
With that it mind, the question then boils down to where he would succeed most. Even with an outdated game and some obvious deficiencies, he was the No. 3 pick for a reason. There’s talent there, and perhaps the right developmental staff could unlock some of the potential we never got to see with the Sixers.
His offensive tool kit has the basic structure of a Greg Monroe or Enes Kanter-type player. He scores smoothly around the basket, and boasts the kind of strength and agility on the block that could still become a weapon in the right setting.
He just needs to start adding more to his game. His awareness as a passer must improve, while a viable mid-range jumper would increase his utility tenfold on the offensive end. In brief flashes this preseason, we saw some of those improvements. Which teams can help him sustain them?
5. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have had one of the league’s most successful developmental programs under Mike Budenholzer, while their system on the court has consistently produced above expectations. They’re in the midst of a rebuild now, but could provide a nice spot for Okafor to get some shine with players who compliment him well.
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Being in rebuilding mode, Atlanta is going to focus on young talent. Dennis Schroder is their offensive bell cow, but the frontcourt is set up nicely to allow a player like Okafor to play legitimate minutes as DeWayne Dedmon’s backup at the five.
The Hawks have plenty of frontcourt shooting to place around him as well, with Ersan Ilyasova, Luke Babbitt and Mike Muscala all boasting reliable 3-point shots. Even John Collins, who was selected at No. 19 in the 2017 draft, has shown signs of real NBA range.
Shooting and the potential for consistent playing time is everything Okafor needs. He’ll still need to make improvements to stay on an NBA court long term, but the Hawks are one of the few teams who could offer him such a complete package.
4. Golden State Warriors
Okafor might not appreciate the lack of playing time, but it’s tough to think of a better environment for him to be in. He’d be on the eventual championship favorites, while also learning under another prime developmental staff with Steve Kerr.
Where Okafor fits into Golden State’s scheme is a bit of an unknown. He’d almost be forced to modernize his game a bit, which could help out in the long run.
This is mostly a cultural move, though, with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green — along with the other veterans on the roster — giving Okafor a supporting cast he can learn from. He’d be able to soak up knowledge from the best in he business, and that’s a heck of a lot more satisfying than sitting on the end of the bench for this Sixers team.
Golden State wouldn’t be willing to give up much, but it appears that future second round picks are the bulk of the conversation at this point. The Warriors recently declined their team option on Kevon Looney, so they could be willing to offload him to give Okafor a one-year trial run.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Maybe it’s time to see what the #LonzoEffect does to Okafor?
A rough summer league might have knocked Ivica Zubac out of the Lakers’ everyday rotation, and they aren’t exactly swimming in sustainable depth with an injury-prone Andrew Bogut behind Brook Lopez. Magic Johnson has always been a fan of Jah’s, and perhaps the low price could convince the Lakers to pull the trigger.
This Lakers team likes to get out an run, which is what Ball is there to do. That’s not Okafor’s stylistic forte, but it’s the kind of evolution he needs to make if he wants to stick in today’s league. Los Angeles, for all their faults, could get him some playing time and place him in a position to — potentially — succeed beyond next season.
Part of what Okafor needs is somebody committed to him. The Sixers clearly aren’t, and this Lakers squad may be one of the few teams willing to make Okafor a legitimate part of their future.
Defensive issues are going to be a long-term concern for L.A., but trying to make Okafor fit in on offense could be a worthwhile endeavor given just how cheap his price tag is at this point.
2. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are reportedly the most interested of all the teams in Okafor’s services, which makes since given their limited depth up front. Aron Baynes and Al Horford are the only players 6-foot-10 or taller on that roster, while their primary reserves are based around names like Daniel Theis and Semi Ojeleye.
There’s room for Okafor to carve out a bench role on one of the conference’s most competitive teams.
With that said, Okafor doesn’t solve any of the issues Boston’s size-deprived frontcourt currently has. He’s not a plus rebounder, and his defense won’t benefit a team that’s currently outperforming expectations on that side of the ball. Brad Stevens and his clipboard dark magic may find a way to make it work offensively, though.
The Celtics have long been fans of Okafor, and his post scoring could be something they lean on in a second unit that’s limited on the offensive end. He still needs to improve his awareness as a passer and get better at reading defensive pressure in the post, but Boston is one of the few places where he has a clear role — or at least has an opportunity to get one.
A solid team with good cultural dynamics and a high-level coaching staff is what Okafor needs. Boston has been invested in getting him before, and could end up being a good spot for him on the basis of that commitment alone.
1. San Antonio Spurs
This is the pipe dream for those who want to see Okafor succeed. Getting to work under Gregg Popovich on a Spurs team that needs to start getting younger could kick start a level of development that wouldn’t happen anywhere else in the league.
Not only has Popovich proven himself capable of using bigger, slower rotations with success in today’s NBA, but he’d give Okafor the benefit of getting advice from the best coaching staff in the league, with Pau Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan (in advisor form, at least) all within reach as well.
Their defense wouldn’t necessarily take a big hit either. Gasol is a downright awful defender at this stage in his career, and Okafor would at least give Popovich younger legs to work with. Jah spent all summer slimming down and showed real hustle on the defensive end during preseason play. A change of scenery could help boost his energy even more.
There’s nothing quite like playing for the Spurs, and that’s the kind of culture Okafor can really benefit from at this point in his career — which is also where the Golden State appeal comes into play. He has spent over two years on a losing team that has now shunned him. That can wreck the confidence of a 21-year-old who spent his entire amateur career winning titles and sitting atop his recruiting class.
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Okafor deserves a chance somewhere, and San Antonio has to be the most ideal of spots.