Report: If Joel Embiid is Healthy, Sixers Could Trade Jahlil Okafor

One thing we know about the Sixers is that they aren’t afraid to trade anyone, even promising young talent. So even though rookie Jahlil Okafor showed promise this season before season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus, Philadelphia could still move him this summer. Reportedly, that hinges on the health of another young big man: the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Joel Embiid, who was still yet to play in an NBA game.

From Keith Pompey of Philly.com:

Similar players, Okafor and Embiid are an unlikely pairing. They are both liabilities guarding athletic power forwards and chasing stretch fours on the perimeter. So the belief is that the Sixers may try to move Okafor this summer if Embiid is healthy. If he isn’t, they have to decide between Okafor and Noel.

 

The Boston Herald had reported that the Sixers had a deal in place to trade Okafor to the Boston Celtics at the Feb. 18 trade deadline. The team denied that report and has always publicly praised the rookie. And it should. He’s been fun to watch on the offensive end.