The Celtics remain interested in Sixers center Jahlil Okafor, but won’t give up a first-round pick to get him, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. Boston views the third-year center as more of a project than an immediate contributor and is reluctant to part with a significant asset.
Okafor has been on the market for more than a year, but his fate became obvious when the Sixers decided this week not to pick up his option for 2018/19. Washburn contends Philadelphia has let Okafor’s market value slip by not playing him. He has appeared in just one game this season.
Washburn compliments Okafor for the way he has handled a difficult situation and says the No. 3 pick in the 2015 draft has kept himself in good shape despite the lack of playing time. The Bucks, Cavaliers, Spurs and Nuggets also have interest in Okafor, according to Sam Amico of AmicoHoops, but so far no one is willing to meet the Sixers‘ asking price.
There’s more this morning from the Atlantic Division:
- Marcus Morris made an immediate impact Friday in his first game for the Celtics, notes A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston. After being slowed by soreness in his left knee, Morris debuted with nine points and four rebounds in a win over the Thunder, and his defense on Carmelo Anthony helped Boston overcome a large deficit.
- Allen Crabbe posted his best game since joining the Nets with 25 points Friday against the Lakers, notes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. The fifth-year swingman was acquired from the Trail Blazers in a July trade to boost Brooklyn’s offense, but has started the season in a shooting slump, hitting just 15 of 43 from 3-point range before Friday night. “I think he’s finding his rhythm. He’s going to get better and better,” said coach Kenny Atkinson. “He was struggling because he missed a fair amount of time at training camp. I [don’t] think he was physically at his peak. You’ll see him get better as the season goes on.”
- Nets point guard D’Angelo Russell has responded to comments from Lakers president Magic Johnson suggesting he wasn’t a leader during his time in Los Angeles, relays Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. “I would say it ruffled a few feathers,” said Russell, who spent two seasons in L.A. after being the second pick in the 2015 draft. “But you control what you can control. He’s in a position to say what he wants, so I just try to do what I can do at the end of the day.”
Jahlil to Boston for 2019 DET 2nd and 2020 BOS 2nd (Top 50 Protected). Enough is enough Colangelo, trade the dude
I could see 2 second rounders, or maybe Boston’s first rounder top 25 protected until it conveys. I imagine PHI is asking for a lottery protected first and no one is willing to give in.
philly isnt getting a 1st round pick for okafor lol. i hate to say never, but they demolished his value
How about one 2nd rounder and that’s it. It should be mid to late at that. He hasn’t played in a while, can’t play D, lacks a 3 and doesn’t rebo und well. What are they asking for the C’s protected LA pick fo or next year. It they are tell them to GTFOOH
At this point, what’s the use of getting rid of him for some useless 2nd? Might as well be patient now. His value could suddenly rise with and injury or two – and even a supplemental insurance plan isn’t without merit given Embid’s health issues.
In my book, a 2nd round pick is still too much.
Some of these comments hehe….. I’m as big of a homer for the Celtics as the next Green Teamer but if you can grab a guy like Okafor for a couple of 2nds you do it. Even very late first round is acceptable. 2nd rounders net you Veteran Role Players at the deadline, Okafor is young and still has upside, the same upside that made him a Top 3 Pick. Buying low on a guy like that is always a worthwhile gamble, and if it doesn’t work out, well, you bought low