The Chicago Bulls are reportedly interested in trading for Sixers center Jahlil Okafor before the Feb. 23 trade deadline.
If Chicago’s front office is motivated to get a deal done, Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo should pounce at the opportunity to alleviate the center logjam on Philadelphia’s roster–and take back a potential solid piece in return.
The original report on Chicago’s interest in Okafor noted that a deal would be hard to facilitate if the Sixers aren’t interested in one of Chicago’s young players on rookie-wage contracts. With Chicago over the salary cap and luxury tax limit, any deal would have to be a salary match with Philadelphia.
A quick look at Chicago’s roster (and the ESPN Trade Machine) puts two names squarely in the mix if a one-for-one or one-for-two swap could commence: Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic. And while “get Jimmy Butler!” is a thought likely going through your head, it’s almost impossible to believe the Bulls would consider moving Butler to Philadelphia unless a ton of picks and future assets went along with Okafor.
While Mirotic, 25, may have the higher ceiling as a stretch power forward with shooting ability (serving as insurance if free-agent-to-be Ersan Ilysova leaves Philadelphia), it’s hard to imagine the Bulls giving him up straight-up for Okafor. The 2014-15 All-Rookie First Team member would likely cost Philadelphia more–plus the salaries don’t match up perfectly.
Sixers trading for star?
McDermott, 25, is intriguing. The former sharpshooter at Creighton has hit over 40 percent of his three’s since the start of the 2015-16 season and is playing above-average defense this season. With Ben Simmons on the mend, the Sixers need to find shooters. Pairing McDermott’s potential marksmanship with Robert Covington’s three-and-defense skill set could give the Sixers a cheap, productive small forward pairing.
Okafor is owed $4.78M this season. McDermott, making $2.48M, wouldn’t work in a one-for-one swap. Ironically, ex-Sixers point guard Michael-Carter Williams ($3.18M) can be added to make the money line up.
Adding to the possibility of a McDermott-Williams for Okafor swap: In-house issues in Chicago between veterans and young players–one of which is reportedly Carter-Williams. With only one year left on his deal, the Sixers could waive Carter-Williams or let him go after the season, giving the deal a net effect of Okafor-for-McDermott.
Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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