Jahlil Okafor Trade Rumors: Celtics Interested, Won't Deal 1st-Round Pick

The Boston Celtics are reportedly interested in Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor, but as previously reported, only at a bargain price.

Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe reported on Sunday that the team has "long held interest in Okafor, but as more of a project than an immediate contributor. Boston is also not willing to part with a first-round pick for Okafor."

That jibes with a report from Keith Pompey of Philly.com earlier in the week:

"The Sixers and Okafor's agent, Billy Duffy, have been in constant contact with each other and with potential trade partners, trying to work out a deal. According to sources, the Celtics have expressed the most interest in Okafor. Knowing the Sixers don't have long-term plans for him, the Celtics aren't willing to give up much, though."

Okafor, 21, was the No. 3 overall pick by the Sixers in the 2015 NBA draft, following the selections of Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel the two drafts prior. While Okafor saw plenty of time in his rookie year and played well, averaging 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest, he fell further down the rotation last season, with Embiid, Noel before he was traded and Richaun Holmes all ultimately playing a bigger role with the team.

Coming into the 2017-18 season, Okafor was relegated to fourth-string center behind Embiid, Holmes and free-agent signee Amir Johnson. Not surprisingly, the Sixers—who have had Okafor on the trade block for quite some time, as Pompey reported—declined to pick up his fourth-year option. 

Okafor responded by publicly asking for a trade or buyout.

It's clear his time in Philadelphia has come to a close, as he doesn't fit the team's scheme. While a talented low-post scorer, Okafor has struggled with rim protection and facilitating out of the post in his short career, offering a skill set that has be devalued in the NBA in the age of floor spacing and three-point shooting.

In Boston, Okafor would offer the team a solid scoring option off the bench, though depending on which lineups the team utilized, he could still find himself as a third-string option at the position behind Al Horford and Aron Baynes. 

Horford offers better floor spacing and defense. Baynes is a far more physically imposing presence on the block. Boston may be able to offer Okafor a spot in the rotation, unlike Philly, but minutes may still be hard to come by for the young center.