Sixers Are Talking to Eight Teams About Jahlil Okafor

The Philadelphia 76ers are, according to NBA rumors, engaged with eight different teams in trade talks revolving around Jahlil Okafor.

Coming into February, it seemed as if it was highly plausible that the Philadelphia 76ers would cruise right past NBA rumors season and the NBA trade deadline without ever making a deal moving one of their big men.

6 days into February, it was clear that that had changed.

In the afternoon on Monday, shortly after it was announced that Okafor would be the starting center for the Sixers’ loss against the Detroit Pistons, it was rumored that the Sixers were engaged in serious trade talks with the New Orleans Pelicans. Some reported that it was possible that a deal would be done as soon as Monday, but the teams were unable to agree on a number of things before the 5pm daily deadline.

The trade was held up by disagreements on protections on a first round draft pick, and also whether or not the Pelicans would offer Jrue Holiday as a part of the deal.

The Sixers seemed to be in a chokehold with the Pelicans, and with seemingly not many more options, there was reason to believe the Sixers were about to take a bad deal with them for the sake of moving a big, something Colangelo said he would never do.

Reports deny that school of thought, though.

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In addition to Zillgitt’s report that multiple teams are interested in Okafor, Sam Amick’s initial USA Today report that the Pelicans and Sixers were talking included some more detailed information about the Sixers and their shopping of Jah: The Sixers are talking to eight teams.

Now, the article simply says that the Sixers “engaged” with 8 teams. Does this mean anything substantial came of that? Not at all. An engagement could mean,:

“Hey, would you guys trade for Okafor?”

“No.”

And that’s an engagement.

Nonetheless, for a while it felt like the Sixers were just sitting back and enjoying a relaxed February, which is not what they should be doing. It’s good to see a little more urgency this week.