20 best players who could be available at NBA trade deadline

By John Buhler | Feb 13, 2017

Feb 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts after being called for a foul during the overtime against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center. Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Washington Wizards 140-135 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 1, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) passes the ball during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the 76ers 113-95. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Jahlil Okafor

Center, Philadelphia 76ers

When the Philadelphia 76ers began The Process under former general manager Sam Hinkie, they opted to take the best player available with their lottery picks. While that was great in theory, the problem for Philadelphia was that the best player available at the time of the selection of most of their drafts all played the same position: center.

The emergence of a budding superstar in rookie center Joel Embiid, has made second-year center Jahlil Okaforexpendable for new 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo. Philadelphia doesn’t want to have three starting centers in their frontcourt, so that means either Okafor or Nerlens Noel will have to go.

Fortunately for the 76ers, these two big men offer differing skill sets in the low post. Okafor is the more polished player of the two when it comes to offense. He doesn’t have a ton of range as a shooter, but there is an expanded role for his back-to-the-basket offensive game somewhere in the NBA.

Though he has not improved much as a defensive player, it’s really more about effort than anything. A change of scenery could do wonders for Okafor in his development. Since he is still on his rookie contract, Philadelphia could get something good for him in a trade deadline deal.

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