Sixers are reportedly in talks to trade Jahlil Okafor to the Pelicans

The Philadelphia 76ers entered the season with all three of their young big men healthy at the same time, which was both a blessing and a curse. The trio of Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel would all need minutes to develop, but there was a duplication of talent at the frontcourt positions, and it made for a roster situation that was less than ideal.

Noel was vocal about it before the year began, and it's been likely all along that the Sixers would look to move one of these players before the Feb. 23rd deadline. It appears as though Okafor is the leading candidate at the moment, according to multiple reports.

https://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/828717481740996617

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USA Today's Sam Amick reports that the Pelicans would want lottery protection for the first-round pick if it is indeed included in any deal.

Okafor was selected with the third overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, and averaged 17.5 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes per game during his rookie season. Since Embiid's debut, however, his role has been significantly diminished. Okafor is averaging 11.4 points and 4.8 rebounds in 23.1 minutes per game this season, while starting in only 19 of his 34 appearances.

On the Pelicans' side, the trade would be a solid one to make. The team has been desperate to get Anthony Davis some frontcourt help, and even though New Orleans is just 19-32 on the season, they're still just 3.5 games out of the final playoff spot in the West.