NBA Trade Rumors: 76ers gauging interest in Jahlil Okafor

Despite an incredible first half of the season on the offensive end of the floor, the Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly gauging interest in Jahlil Okafor’s trade value.

The Philadelphia 76ers lost, lost, and lost some more in the first half of the season before the All-Star break, going into the break with a record of just 8-45, the worst in the NBA. One of their only bright spots has been rookie center Jahlil Okafor, but with general manager Sam Hinkie running the show alongside vice president of basketball operations Jerry Colangelo, we never really know what to expect, especially when the trade deadline comes around.

The Sixers have been surprisingly quiet in most rumors all week, but now some talks are beginning to come up. Tom Moore of the Bucks County Courier Times reported on Wednesday night that the team is “gauging interest in Okafor,” which he was told from an NBA source.

The Sixers fans have been split in many instances this season, especially with Okafor. There is a camp that believes it is smart to deal Okafor and get a high-value pick or player in return for him since the Sixers have plenty of players in their frontcourt already. Others think that this young player is one that can’t be passed up on, and that he could be a franchise cornerstone.

Looking forward, the Sixers have multiple big men to keep track of if they don’t move one at the deadline or this offseason. Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor are already playing significant minutes, and Joel Embiid is expected to finally make his NBA debut next season. Additionally, Dario Saric is expected to finally come from overseas and join the team next year.

If the Sixers really do move Okafor, it would shake up the entire rebuilding plan that has been set in place up to this point, and whatever team gets him could don an entirely new look for the rest of the season and next few years.