Center Jahlil Okafor will not be a part of the process for the Philadelphia 76ers. According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the 76ers did not pick up the fourth-year option on Okafor’s contract, making him an unrestricted free agent next summer. It was reported that the 76ers are planning to trade their No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Okafor was in line for a $6.3 million payday next season had the 76ers exercised the fourth-year option in his contract. With their decision on Okafor, the 76ers are expected to have $39 million in cap space next summer, unless they sign Robert Covington to a contract extension in the next two weeks, per Bobby Marks of ESPN.
Before the start of the season, 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo stressed that the team is not actively shopping Okafor, saying that the big man is crucial to the team in case starting center Joel Embiid goes down with an injury. However, Okafor has played in just one game for the 76ers this season, scoring 10 points in 22 minutes of action against the Toronto Raptors. In his rookie year, Okafor averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds, but his output dipped last season, as he averaged just 11.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 50 games.
76ers pick up option on four players
While Okafor’s option was not picked up, the 76ers exercised their third-year options on Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and the fourth-year option for Justin Anderson.
Simmons will earn $6.4 million next season, Saric and Anderson are both in line for a $2.5-million payday, and Luwawu-Cabarrot’s salary will be at $1.5 million next season. In seven games this season, Simmons is averaging 18.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists for the 76ers, who are 3-4 so far. Saric is averaging 7.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in seven games this season.
Celtics exercise option on two players
The Boston Celtics have locked up Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier for next season, according to RealGM. With the move, Brown will earn $5.17 million next season while Rozier’s salary will be $3.05 million. With Gordon Hayward out for the season due to injury, Brown and Rozier are expected to play major roles for the Celtics.
In seven games this season, Brown is averaging 15.4 points and 5.9 boards in 33.3 minutes of action. Rozier has averaged 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per outing through seven games this season. Last season, Brown and Rozier averaged just 17 minutes per game.
