Jahlil Okafor is reportedly unhappy with the 76ers after being shopped all offseason, and Philadelphia could still be looking to trade him now that Joel Embiid is healthy.
Several teams expressed interest in acquiring Okafor, including the Celtics, but no one was able to (or wanted to) pull the trigger on a deal.
One team that could before the start of the season? The New York Knicks, according to The Ringer's Jonathan Tjarks.
Phil Jackson was heavily linked to Okafor before last year’s draft, and acquiring a low-post center with his skills would allow the Knicks to ascend to Triangle Heaven. Kristaps Porzingis is a better fit as a 5 in a modern NBA offense, but Phil seems determined to play him as an oversize 4 next to another traditional big man. Porzingis and Okafor could form a devastating high-low combo; Porzingis’s ability to shoot 3s and protect the rim could cover the two biggest holes in Okafor’s game. The Knicks could ease Okafor into a role behind Joakim Noah, and he would completely dismantle smaller big men on opposing second units. They don’t have much in the way of assets for the 76ers to acquire, but they could send Kyle O’Quinn to make the trade’s salary numbers work and give up a future first-round pick.
The Knicks have shown a willingness to be aggressive on the trade market in order to win now, making a move to acquire Derrick Rose. They did sign Joakim Noah to a four-year, $72 million deal in free agency to be their starting center, but they could work Okafor into the rotation as a sixth man.
Okafor averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game as a rookie last season.
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