With each passing hour, it seems to be more and more likely that the Philadelphia 76ers will part ways with Jahlil Okafor before the February 23rd trade deadline. The latest reports link Okafor with the New Orleans Pelicans, but what about the rumor involving the Chicago Bulls?
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Sam Amick of USA Today broke the news on Twitter this afternoon. The Pelicans and Sixers were discussing a deal.
Sixers & Pelicans in talks about sending Jahlil Okafor to New Orleans. Philly pushing for NO 1st rounder. Story coming at @USATODAYsports
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 6, 2017
It looked like it might be too late for the Bulls to make a move, but talks eventually cooled over the asking terms from Philadelphia. It sounds like they were pushing for a first-round pick in the upcoming draft. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Still, it seems like things are at least in the ballpark for the two teams and Chicago is probably on the outside looking in.
Before we sell the Bulls chances at grabbing Okafor, it might be worth taking a look at some trade options that Chicago could offer in exchange for the soon-to-be-moved big man. He’s intriguing as an offensive weapon, decent fundamentals. However, a lot of people are low on him because of his off-court issues, throwback style of basketball, and general limitations on the defensive end of the floor.
It’s impossible to write off a second-year player who has clearly clashed with the organization he finds himself a part of – an organization that won’t have its hand forced to play him because they have so many other options.