Jahlil Okafor’s situation with the Philadelphia 76ers is something to monitor in the months leading up to February trade deadline. The former No.3 overall pick had a solid training camp and preseason, yet his future with the team remains uncertain. Head coach Brett Brown even disclosed the front office’s effort to find Okafor a new home at the start of camp. Will 76ers trade rumors emerge again if the team struggles to start the 2017-18 NBA season? Or will success by the team lead to a more comfortable situation for Okafor?
Sad State for Okafor
In an interview with Jordan Brenner of SBNation.com, Okafor admitted that thoughts of playing for another team definitely crossed his mind.
However, despite calling himself the "sad cautionary tale of the process,’" the Duke Blue Devils’ product has reaffirmed his commitment to the 76ers.
“Sometimes I do think it would be great to get a fresh start, be on a new team, new surroundings, new teammates,” Okafor said. “I think about that often and I think that’s something that could benefit me,” said Okafor, who will be eligible for a contract extension next season.
With center Joel Embiid steadily gaining more minutes after a knee injury, it will be difficult to find enough playing time for the Sixers’ forgotten big man. Right now a trade appears to be inevitable and a handful of potential suitors popped out over the last few months, including the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks.
More out of Sixers newswire:
The Sixers made their latest cut-down on Saturday, waiving Emeka Okafor, Kris Humphries, and James Blackmon. According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Sixers officials have already informed all three players that they failed to make the roster.
Okafor, the former No.2 draft pick and distant cousin of Jahlil, was attempting an NBA comeback after a four-year hiatus.
The 35-year old veteran is expected to join the Sixers’ G-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers. There, he will have more time to regain playing shape and possibly earn an NBA call-up at some point.
Humphries, on the other hand, returns to free agency after taking his chance with the Sixers. The 11-year veteran last played with the Atlanta Hawks, where he averaged 4.6 PPG and 3.7 RPG in 12 MPG.
The former Brooklyn Nets bruiser has the option to resume his career overseas or wait until another NBA team calls him up.
The Sixers have also waived Andrew Andrews, Marc Loving, and James Webb III, trimming down its regular-season roster to 17 players. The roster limit for an NBA team is 15 players but the Sixers can carry that number of players because James Michael McAdoo and Jacob Pullen were signed to two-way contracts.
