By Brian Yalung
The Pelicans become the second team to be linked to Okafor. As mentioned in a previous post, the Chicago Bulls could add a young big man up front to compliment Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade. The Sixers have an overloaded frontline with Okafor and Nerlens Noel possibly moving before the Feb. 23 NBA trade deadline.
Seeing how Noel has proven to be more effective alongside Joel Embiid, Okafor has now emerged as the likely one to leave Philly soon. The Pelicans and the Sixers are reportedly in advanced talks and the only thing holding it up is the draft-pick compensation. The Sixers could also receive center Alexis Ajinca plus a future first-round pick from New Orleans.
Sixers could be getting back unhappy center Alexis Ajinca and a future 1st round pick in a Jahlil Okafor trade to New Orleans, a source said
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) February 6, 2017
Source: Pick protection is the hold up in Okafor trade to NO. NOP wants to lottery protect, while PHI wants to take it down to top 5-10.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 6, 2017
For the Sixers, it makes more sense to target a guard. Jrue Holiday seems like a plausible choice and any tweaks could be made if trade talks prosper.
Before interest in Jahlil Okafor came out in the open, the Pelicans had previously considered offering a package to the Detroit Pistons for Reggie Jackson.
Jackson has been mentioned in trade rumors, including that one involving Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy shot that down and made it known he was keeping Jackson.