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Pacers, Sixers Have Discussed Jahlil Okafor

February 21st 2017 at 11:43am CST by Luke Adams

As they explore the trade market seeking potential help for Paul George, the Pacers have shown interest in Sixers big man Jahlil Okafor, says Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. According to Shelburne, her ESPN colleagues Jeff Goodman and Chris Haynes have heard similar rumblings connecting Indiana and Okafor. Goodman adds (via Twitter) that the Pacers have engaged the Sixers in talks involving Okafor.

The third overall pick in 2015, Okafor has seen his name mentioned in trade rumors many times this season, with things heating up as of late. The Sixers held Okafor out of two games prior to the All-Star break, apparently believing that they were on the verge of trading him — multiple reports since then have suggested that the Trail Blazers were close to an agreement for Okafor before they dealt for Jusuf Nurkic.

With Joel Embiid healthy for much of this season, the Sixers have had a hard time incorporating all three of their young centers – Embiid, Okafor, and Nerlens Noel – into the rotation, making it very likely that at least one of Okafor and Noel will be dealt this month. In his sophomore season, Okafor’s playing time is down to 23.0 MPG (from 30.0 MPG), and his per-minute production has also taken a hit, reducing his trade value.

Still, the Sixers appear to be seeking at least one first-round pick in a deal for Okafor, and the Pacers are reportedly willing to offer a 2017 first-rounder to improve their roster. Philadelphia and Indiana are both below the salary cap, so there’s some wiggle room to get something done without necessarily matching salaries. I’d expect the two teams to explore other scenarios before Thursday, but they may ultimately be a good match.

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