This recent offseason was one of full of rumors and major moves, with at least 7 different superstar players, like Kyrie Irving and Chris Paul, switching teams and creating a media circus. As the season is three weeks in, teams are still trying to make moves in the direction of getting to the playoffs and contending for championships. When the season is 82 games long, moves that are made right now could really improve a team’s chances at a playoff run. The Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks are two teams that have some serious decisions to make in the near future.
Jahlil Okafor and the 76ers
Jahlil Okafor and his future with the Philadelphia 76ers is up-in-the-air as it stands right now. Okafor was the 3rd overall pick out of Duke University in the 2015 NBA Draft and is a talent that has a lot to offer a team. Okafor's skillset is not one that coincide with the play of the 76ers and he would do better in different type of system. To date, he has only played in two games total this season. His presence on the market has not gone unnoticed by other teams.
Adrian Wojnarowski, of ESPN, reported that multiple teams have shown interest in the center, including the Suns, Celtics, Hawks, and Bulls. It's rumored that the Suns could use their newest acquisition, Eric Bledsoe, as a valuable marketing chip.
As reported by NBA.com, "league sources indicate the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks are the most likely destinations for Okafor. But the Sixers are holding out for at least a Draft pick and could still opt to keep Okafor as insurance against further injury to Embiid, or as a potential expiring contract to aggregate as the trade deadline nears."
The New York Knicks
The Knicks have a decision to make whether they want to or not.
Joakim Noah is going to return next week after a 20-game suspension for the use of banned substances. This, ultimately, means that the Knicks will have to create a roster spot for Noah. The only way this is going to happen is either through trade or release.
This fact puts the future of a couple of the Knicks players in a limbo sort of situation.
The Knicks have figured out two possibilities to make room for Noah, although his role upon his return is another one of those up-in-the-air sort of things. They are shopping different deals that could be had for Mindaugas Kuzminskas or to release veteran Ramon Sessions. What is definite is that the Knicks need to make a choice quickly.
