The Bulls and Hawks appear to be the most likely landing spots for Jahlil Okafor, according to TNT’s David Aldridge, who cites league sources in his latest report at NBA.com. However, the Sixers continue to hold out for “at least a draft pick,” Aldridge writes.
While it’s not clear if Aldridge is referring to a first-round pick or just a decent second-rounder, his report sounds similar to one from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski last week. Wojnarowski indicated that the 76ers remain committed to acquiring some sort of “asset” in exchange for Okafor, who has asked to be traded or bought out.
[RELATED: Jahlil Okafor confirms he wants trade or buyout]
The Bulls and Hawks are both very much in rebuilding mode, with just two wins apiece so far this season, so a move to acquire a 21-year-old with Okafor’s pedigree would make sense for either team. However, both clubs figure to maintain a tight hold on their draft picks, and – like Boston – would almost certainly be unwilling to part with a first-rounder for Okafor.
Although the former third overall pick still has plenty of potential, his contract situation makes him a tough sell. Because his fourth-year option was turned down, Okafor will be an unrestricted free agent next July, and the team carrying him as season’s end won’t be able to offer him a contract with a starting salary higher than about $6.3MM, the amount of his declined option. So if Okafor were to be traded now and then enjoyed a breakout year with his new team, that club may not be able to re-sign him.
Okafor would like resolution sooner rather than later, but as Aldridge notes, it’s possible that the Sixers will hang onto him as insurance against a potential Joel Embiid injury, or in order to use him as a salary-matching piece in a deadline deal.
The 76ers don’t want to take on any extra salary in a potential Okafor trade, since they want to have the flexibility to renegotiate Robert Covington‘s contract after November 15 and to retain cap space for next summer, says Aldridge. Philadelphia is also reluctant to buy out Okafor, according to Aldridge, since they believe it would take the division-rival Celtics “about 30 seconds to scarf him up.”
I don’t see Atlanta as a possible destination but Chicago could trade the 2nd rounder they received from New Orleans in the Quincy Pondexter trade and Kay Felder. Felder has a partially guaranteed contract so he’d be waived
Like I said Ersan and a 2nd for Okafor.
As a sixers fan I would love that.
Ersan has a no trade clause because he signed a one year deal. It wasn’t given by the Hawks, I think it’s a league rule but after being traded so much, I doubt he’d waive it
Covington is way overachieving this year. They will overpay him and he’ll come back to earth. Harrison Barnes basically.
Barnes is a mid range ISO heavy player. Covington is a 3 and D player. They are very different.
plus RoCo plays Defense & gets rebounds plus he knows his role & has continued to get better every year Barnes hasn’t
Jabari Parker and Jahill Okafor are both former first team high school all-americans who will have a difficult time in free agency. Bledsoe is practicing again. I think he should and will play for Suns again. They won’t get youth for him or the vets they want.
My all-NBA: Giannis Antekoupo, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Stephan Curry, James Harden
Kristaps Porzingas, Lebron James, Demarcus Cousins, Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson
Marc Gasol, Blake Griffin, Paul George, Damon Lilliard,, Avery Johnson.
I won’t leave any more comments. I’ve watched too much Stephen A. Smith and Charles Barkley. CBS sportsline.com is very good!
Considering you put the University of Alabama Head Coach on the All NBA team, I think we will take your guess with a grain of salt
So you projecting kawhi and draymond to not make it?
I’d have Kwahi 2nd team if he was healthy. Don’t like Draymond!
Avery Johnson all-NBA 3rd team as a retired coach that’s real talent there
How can you put steph on first team and Russ on second
Greg Anthony is Alabama head coach! Last comment. Forgrot Okafor and Parker are good friends and played against each other in high school in Chicago.
Russ was mvp last year, not this year.
Avery Johnson is the Piston’s shooting guard (via Boston) and has been the Piston’s leader this season. I like him because of his offense and defense.
His name is Avery Bradley bro.
Thank you!
niko and a heavily-protected 1st for jahlil
Okafor may get a 2nd round pick.
I’d have a tie with Kyrie and Lilliard!
Would the Hawks trade DeAndre Bembry and 2nd rounder for Okafor? I know Bembry is hurt, but I would love to see him in a Sixer uniform and Okafor would get his restart.
Chicago is home for Okafor and Parker. I can see Portis going to Sixers. Sixers don’t need Mirotic, they have Covington. Saric plays both forward slots. I see Portis straight up for Okafor. One backup for another. Karl Anthony Towns and Gasol both belong on all NBA team. Bradley Beal doesn’t.
Dellavadova and a future 2nd to philly, bucks get Okafor. Bucks shed salary and fill hole of departing Monroe, sixers get veteran guard
Moronic for Okafor straight up
But still think he end up in Milwaukee with Monroe finally gone.
*Mirotic. (Autoincorrect strikes Again )
I am a diehard Cub fan too. I’d rather see them wait (like the Lakers did with Paul George) and have a chance of getting them as unrestricted free agents for nothing. I think Jabari Parker and Okafor being buds in high school might mean something. The Bulls wouldn’t have to spend a lot of money on them.
Hawks won’t go for him. Doesn’t fit the scheme now.