Adrian Fedkiw
Could Jahlil Okafor be heading back to his old stomping grounds of Chicago?
The Chicago Bulls could be looking to acquire the big man from the Philadelphia 76ers. They’ve reportedly inquired about his availability, according to CSN Chicago.
#Bulls inquiring about 76ers big man and Chicago native Jahlil Okafor, sources tell @vgoodwill: https://t.co/od7hPZ5vO5#BullsTalk pic.twitter.com/j0zpFp31E6
— CSN Chicago (@CSNChicago) February 3, 2017
The Sixers, of course, have a logjam at center and Okafor has been the odd man out of the rotation over recent weeks. He’s a half-court center that took up Joel Embiid’s space when they tried playing together and is a liability on the defensive end. Nerlens Noel is a better fit on the defensive end with Embiid due to his ability to play the perimeter and protect the rim. But he too takes Embiid’s space away on the offensive end. Embiid’s done the most damage offensive while being paired with Ersan Ilyasova, who is a stretch forward and allows Embiid the room on the floor to operate.
Chicago needs offensive help up front and as the main man in Philly last year playing on the 10-72 Sixers, Okafor averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game last year in a 53-game season that got cut short due to a knee injury. The emergence of Embiid as the potential franchise center has made Okafor expendable.
The question now is, who do the Bulls have to offer?
There’s been rumblings of a potential Jimmy Butler swamp, but I don’t see that happening. Philly needs some guards and the Bulls don’t have what I’m looking for. The Sixers obviously have plenty of cap space, but who’s really interested in Rajon Rondo at this point? Dwyane Wade isn’t happening. Michael Carter-Williams, nope. Doug McDermott, maybe, but we’re talking about Jah here. Besides Jimmy Butler being offered, there’s nothing on the Bulls side I’m interested in. And if they want draft picks I’m not even listening.
Chicago has pieces in the frontcourt, which isn’t what the Sixers are looking for. Nikola Mirotic and Taj Gibson are free agents at the end of the year, with Mirotic being restricted. Mirotic isn’t having a good season so far in the Windy City. Philadelphia doesn’t need Robin Lopez. Cristiano Felicio is an intriguing talent, but he’s not needed.
Draft picks along with a couple players could be something Bryan Colangelo considers. The Bull’s, however, are in the middle of the pack of the NBA and aren’t “bad” enough record-wise for me to want to send Jah back home.
The Bulls may have inquired, but what can they offer to acquire him? The trade deadline is on Feb. 23.