Report: Sixers Looking to Send Okafor to New Orleans
Year after year, the Philadelphia 76ers have continued to make mind-boggling decisions to draft big man after big man, with the exception of drafting Ben Simmons with the top pick this past summer. Jahlil Okafor, along with Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid have the potential to be three of brightest young big guys in the league. But all three of them at the same time, on the same roster? Recipe for disaster. Embiid has been the breakout star of the three, and is obviously safe from the trade block. Okafor and Noel not so much. But it appears that the Sixers are looking to keep Noel after a report came out on Monday that Philly is working on a deal to send Okafor to New Orleans, likely for a first round draft pick.
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
If the deal reported by Marc J. Spears is correct, I assume the Sixers would waive Alexis Ajinca, in order to not crowd the front court any more. For the Pelicans, this would continue their attempt to not follow the league-wide trend of building around your guards. Okafor would fit in very well with Anthony Davis, who can play the stretch four, while Okafor could do his work in the paint. It would be a great deal for both teams, but if I'm the Pelicans' front office I wouldn't be comfortable enough with my roster to give up a first round pick, but we'll see what happens.
