Jahlil Okafor Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation Surrounding 76ers Star

Adam WellsMay 27, 2016

As the Philadelphia 76ers enter a new era under general manager Bryan Colangelo, the roster figures to undergo a drastic makeover, and center Jahlil Okafor is a potential trade chip.

Continue for updates.

Okafor Still Possibility to Land with Celtics

Wednesday, July 20

Keith Pompey of Philly.com reported that a trade for Okafor is still the move "most likely to happen" for the Boston Celtics after a deal didn't wind up happening during the NBA draft.

Colangelo Comments on Trade Rumors

Wednesday, July 13

Colangelo spoke with SiriusXM NBA Radio regarding the logjam of big men including Okafor, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid and their futures with the organization:

Okafor Comments on Trade Rumors

Sunday, July 10

Okafor addressed the situation on Twitter:

"
One second I'm reportedly upset to be in Philly, then the next I'm upset about trade rumors and having to leave Philly. Which one is it? Source please confirm. Seems like writers are getting lazy, dropping a fraudulent story and try to make it credible by using that magic word.... Sources! Lol stop it. With all that being said. I love where I am, and I am excited about this upcoming season. Big season for us! #Philly.
"

He was responding to a report from earlier Sunday that stated he was “upset and his people are upset" Colangelo "tried like hell" to trade Okafor earlier in the offseason, according to Tom Moore of the Bucks County Courier Times (via CSNNE.com).

Pelicans Linked to Okafor

Wednesday, June 22

Johnson reported the New Orleans Pelicans have been in contact with Philadelphia about Okafor.

Sixers May Seek to Deal Big Man

Friday, May 27

Appearing on 97.3 ESPN Radio in New Jersey (via Kyle Neubeck of Liberty Ballers), ESPN's Chad Ford said Okafor and Noel are possible trade candidates this summer:

"
I think that there's a very high likelihood, that whether it's to move up in the draft or use them to grab a free agent in a sign and trade or just to a trade, that you will not see the Nerlens Noel-Jahlil Okafor pairing at the start of next season. I think that they'll gauge the interest of both players. I think that there might be a slight preference for Noel, to keep him around with the Sixers, and I think you might be right, there might be a slight, better value for Okafor out on the market, but I think everyone agrees that that combination of those two players doesn't necessarily work.
"

Okafor's Strong Rookie Season Makes Him Intriguing Trade Chip

Okafor put together a successful rookie season, averaging 17.5 points and seven rebounds per game. He did have several off-court incidents in his first professional season, including driving 108 mph in a 45 mph zone and two separate altercations at a Philadelphia nightclub, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Under previous general manager Sam Hinkie, the 76ers seemed to utilize a philosophy in which they drafted players they believed to be the best talent regardless of position.

It's not a terrible strategy for a franchise in the first year or two of a complete rebuilding process, but the Sixers took Okafor one year after drafting Embiid, who has yet to play in a game, and two years after acquiring Noel in a draft-day trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.

With the first pick in this year's draft, the 76ers selected LSU's Ben Simmons, who can alternate between small forward and power forward.