Among all the excitement surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers and their hopeful future, one name has been forgotten. That name belongs to third-year center Jahlil Okafor out of Duke who was drafted 3rd overall in 2015. Since being drafted, Okafor has seen himself become labeled as an injury prone one-way player incapable of rebounding and defending at a center’s clip.
He has been boxed out of the Sixers’ young core that goes by ‘FEDS’ for Markelle Fultz, Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, and Ben Simmons and has been largely absent in discussions about Philly’s future. After Okafor was heavily involved in trade rumors last year, his name has resurfaced as the Sixers continue to look for a trade partner so that both sides can move on from what has been a disastrous marriage. Following from ESPN’s Chris Haynes:
With Jahlil Okafor’s role further diminishing, his representatives and the Philadelphia 76ers are collaborating to find a suitable trade for the young center, league sources tell ESPN.
As Haynes pointed out, Okafor’s role among the team has not only diminished, but pretty much vanished. Once considered the future for the Sixers at that 5 spot, Okafor has become the odd man out in a crowded frontcourt rotation consisting of Simmons, Embiid, Saric, and Amir Johnson. With those four dominating almost all of the minutes, Okafor has become nearly completely expendable for Philly.
While watching his role evaporate after being such a promising prospect, Okafor has maintained his maturity through these testing times and is ready to strive with a change of scenery. He has reportedly become more fit this past summer and shed nearly 20 pounds, something that should do wonders for his mobility in the lane.
Okafor has the talent to be a contributor at the professional level and his one appearance this season backs that up in which he tallied 10 points and 9 rebounds in 22 minutes. Expect this dragged out saga with Jahlil Okafor to be resolved soon as there is almost no point in keeping a young talent of Okafor’s caliber on your roster buried under the depth chart.
