The Sixers were close to trading Jahlil Okafor the Portland Trailblazers last week, as well as the New Orleans Pelicans, per two separate reports.
Instead of trading for Okafor, the Pelicans ended up adding Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins instead.
For Cousins, the Pelicans sent Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway and both a 2017 first- and second-round pick to the Kings.
A package that, according to this report, the Sixers essentially turned down for Okafor.
Pels offered Tyreke Evans, 2017 1st rounder and future pick for Jahlil Okafor. Same package for Cousins, but with Buddy Hield added. BUDDY!
— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) February 20, 2017
If true, you have to wonder why Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo would turn down such a deal, considering Okafor is essentially a bench player now for the team and has been on the trade block for weeks.
The report that Okafor was almost traded to the Portland Trailblazers is from NBA.com’s David Aldridge.
Okafor is averaging 11.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks this season in 23 minutes a game.
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The Sixers have been trying to trade Okafor for weeks, as they have three centers on the roster — Okafor, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel — but can’t play them all.
The Kings’ decision to trade Cousins could end up helping the Sixers.
Sixers should trade Jahlil Okafor before NBA trade deadine
Currently, the Kings have the 11th worst record in the NBA at 24-33. The Sixers, at 21-35, have the fourth worst record.
Now that the Kings have been stripped of their best player, however, chances are they will not be playing at the level they were before the trade. The Sixers, meanwhile, have been playing the past three weeks without Embiid, who is reportedly set to return soon. Number one overall pick Ben Simmons has yet to play as well, and head coach Brett Brown has said he expects Simmons to play this season.
What does this all mean?
If the Kings do indeed tank the rest of the season without Cousins, and the Sixers improve with Embidd and Simmons on the floor, the Sixers’ could end up triggering their first-round pick swap with the Kings, drafting higher than they would have otherwise.
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 23.
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