The Philadelphia 76ers made it no secret that they were looking to trade Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor leading up the the NBA draft. Although it seems that nothing of fair value could be worked out during trade talks, it has been said that Sixers’ president of basketball operations and general manage Bryan Colangelo “tried like hell to trade Okafor.”
Now it is being reported that Okafor is “upset and his people are upset.”
Okafor had been linked to the Boston Celtics in recent trade rumors and it seems that Colangelo’s calculated approach to the offseason involves a strategy to deal Okafor and/or Noel.
The 76ers were reportedly looking to trade one either Okafor or Noel to the Boston Celtics in order to move up to pick No. 3 in the NBA draft, so that they could select Kris Dunn. Those trade talks went nowhere but is seems that Boston is still interested in working out a trade with Philly.
Sources tell The Boston Herald that, “The C’s are still holding the line on their offers from prior to the draft. They will make trades if teams come around to their price. Jimmy Butler and Jahlil Okafor are said to be still available, but getting them now won’t be as easy as on draft night when Chicago and Philadelphia, respectively, both coveted the No. 3 overall pick so they could take Providence’s Kris Dunn.”
Shortly after the NBA Draft, Brett Brown admitted he would be “surprised” if the Sixers did not trade a big man before the season began. Philadelphia has a loaded front court with Okafor, Nerlens Noel, and Joel Embiid on the current roster.
Colangelo stood by Brown’s comments saying, “Brett and I are together on everything and to be honest with you.”
It seems the Sixers are intent on parting ways with Okafor and that Boston is, at this point in time, the most likely destination.
It’s hard to imagine Okafor remaining in Philly as it is clear that both he and the organization want a divorce. A trade of Okafor would be a gamble, like playing slots at the Resorts Casino