The Sixers refuse to negotiate a buyout with Jahlil Okafor in part because they don’t want the Celtics to get him for free, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia has held trade talks with Boston about the third-year center, dating back to last season. The Celtics were recently awarded an $8.4MM disabled player exception and would probably pounce on Okafor if he hits the open market.
In addition, Pompey notes, the Sixers have a history of trying to get something in exchange for their players, even when their future clearly is no longer in Philadelphia. As an example, he cites Evan Turner, who was in the same situation as Okafor four years ago. The Sixers decided in October not to pick up Turner’s option, but he remained on the roster until the February deadline, when he was dealt to Indiana. Pompey suggests that if Philly can’t find an acceptable deal for Okafor, he could face a long wait until he plays again.
There’s more news out of Philadelphia:
- Richaun Holmes, who made his season debut Friday night, gives the Sixers a needed boost to their interior defense, Pompey adds in a separate story. Now recovered from a fractured bone in his left wrist, Holmes limited the Pacers to six points in the paint while he was in the game. Coach Brett Brown says Amir Johnson remains the primary backup to Joel Embiid, but Pompey believes Holmes will challenge for playing time. “Richaun gave us a lot of energy and I’m glad to have him back,” Embiid said.
- T.J. McConnell has managed to contribute this season, even though Ben Simmons has been given control of the offense, according to David Murphy of The Philadelphia Inquirer. McConnell, who started 51 games at point guard last season, has been moved to a reserve role and has been effective when paired with Simmons in the backcourt.
- The oddest story surrounding the Sixers this year has involved first-round pick Markelle Fultz, writes Ken Berger of Bleacher Report. After playing well during summer league, Fultz reported to training camp in September with a changed shooting motion and was recently diagnosed with scapular muscle imbalance in his right shoulder. Former Lakers strength and conditioning coach Tim DiFrancesco said scapular imbalance isn’t painful and is a common condition in the NBA. “It certainly can lead to some structural pathology and pain issues,” DiFrancesco said. “But that in itself is not going to immediately, directly, equal pain.”
I don’t blame Philly for wanting to get SOMETHING for Okafor, and I’m sure the Celtics have offered a second rounder or two. They certainly aren’t getting a first for him.
He’d be a nice addition to the C’s. people say Okafor is too slow and clogs the middle, but Baynes is doing that right now and Okafor has much more offensive game.
Don’t forget they gave the Celtics the 3rd pick (Jason Tatum) and a no. 1 next year (Sacramento is 1-8. Could be Brian Porter, Marvin Bagley, DeAndre Ayton, or Mohammed Bamba) for Markelle Fultz.
Okafor was a no. 3 pick. They got burned on Nerlens Noel. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons had to sit their rookie season with injuries. The Hinkie theory has it’s flaws!
No it’s the kings pick the yr after and the Lakers pick (2-5) next draft and they only get the better of the kings/76ers in “19”if they don’t get the lakers pick in “18 “
You’re right, but it sure looks like Boston got the best of this trade. I believe the article. Okafor could be sitting awhile. Okafor are getting paid nicely for watching basketball games!
That’s Okafor and Bledsoe. The NBA complains about resting players, but this is ok!
No, the NBA doesn’t like resting STAR players, specially for nationally televised games. No one is paying to see Okafor and Bledsoe isn’t exactly a top 15 player in the league.
The NBA is talking about resting players for nationally televised games, not just star players. Bledsoe is the Suns 2nd best player. He makes $14 million a year. He belongs on the floor. The Spurs and Cavs are resting more than star players and are the ones the league is talking about.
Okafor will be like Nerlens Noel and Shabazz Muhammed in free agency. He’ll wait and take what he can get. Okafor is a back to the basket player who isn’t a rim protector. That’s why he is sitting!
Carmelo, Paul George, And Klay Thompson aren’t top 15 players. The league is also talking about resting all their starters.
NBA rules only mandate that coaches play “healthy” players in “high-profile” or nationally televised games, regardless of their stature. Teams are also dissuaded from resting multiple healthy players for games and resting healthy players for road games. Any violation could result in a $100,000 fine for the team.
That’s what I said. The league is trying to stop teams like the Cavs, Warriors, and Spurs from resting all their players for nationally teams, and applies to all 31 teams. I LIVE IN CLEVELAND!!!
I KNOW WHAT THE NBA IS TRYING TO SAY!!!
That’s nationally televised games. The Cavs are a big part of the reason the NBA implemented the rule, and they weren’t just talking about Lebron and Kyrie! Coach Lue was resting 3-4 players all last season.
Celtics just give them a 2nd rounder and a G-League player
I don’t think they can add a player if they use that injury credit so it would have to be picks or matching salaries and not use the injury credit
i’d like to point out that Dario Saric who everybody wanted to come off the bench is a starter and ever since he became a starter the Sixers haven’t lost.
There’s really no point to the C’s getting Okafor he won’t have much of a role with them and it would only be for the rest of the year
They are thin on bigs…if anyone of Al, Baynes or Theis goes down, they are in for a lot of small ball. Okafor would at least give them an emergency big man.
Ersan Ilyasova and a 2nd for Okafor.
Danny Ainge is very hard to deal with. Don’t expect him to give up anything for Okafor even though he might like to have him! See Jimmy Butler and Paul George!
On the resting issue, the Cavs had some internal conflict last season because Tristan Thompson had a long games played streak going and didn’t want to rest. Our local newspaper wrote many articles about fans paying to see games when they rested and whether they should get refunds.
Why would anyone give more that a bad 2nd or absolute roster flotsam for Okafor when he is going to be a free agent next year and the trading team will be limited in what they can pay him. The sixers are being ridiculous and hurting the kid when they should have just taken the best deal they could get before they had to renounce his option. Now it’s drama and they are not going to get anything of value. Just cut the guy a check and move on.
The sixers trainer must be blowing smoke. Fultz not in pain? Give me a break. There is no way the guy isn’t hurting if he is shooting FTs that way. It defies logic. The sixers just continue to manage their injuries poorly.