NBA 76sers Trade Rumors: Sixers May Trade Jahlil Okafor This Summer

By Jenn Loro - 30 Mar '16 06:56AM

The Philadelphia 76ers appears to have a problem with their frontcourt rookies. The team is reportedly reviewing a number of trade offers for Jahlil Okafor as the trade deadline looms this year. So far, there's no existing confirmation of any offer that's worth accepting.

Apart from Okafor, the Sixers are also in a serious dilemma over Joel Embiid's injury. So far, the promising Embiid has not officially played although he was touted as the team's prized frontcourt neophyte. The team hasn't even tested his ability so the analysts are predicting for the Sixers to logically transfer Okafor if Embiid remains incapacitated this upcoming season.

"Similar players, Okafor and Embiid are an unlikely pairing. They are both liabilities guarding athletic power forwards and chasing stretch fours on the perimeter. So the belief is that the Sixers may try to move Okafor this summer if Embiid is healthy. If he isn't, they have to decide between Okafor and Noel," observed Keith Pompey in his article written for Philly.com.

Will the Sixers really ditch Okafor?

Well, if the 22-year-old Embiid recovers from his bone-graft surgery before the next season starts, he'll surely be more than eager to join fellow rookies Okafor and Nerlens Noel. But if the team seeks to rebuild the team, they are more likely to dump Okafor in favor of the untested Embiid. Both players are said to have similar gameplay so if they were to make choice, they would like prefer Embiid to stay according to NESN.

But in Okafor's defense, the 20-year-old rookie did have a fine rookie season despite a number of defensive issues, off-court problems, and brewing discontent from within. As reported by CBS Sports, Okafor is one of those rare NBA neophyte players with such a good start to brag about- he averaged 28.6 points and 11.5 rebounds per 100 possessions on 51% shooting.