The Brooklyn Nets Should Try To Trade for Jahlil Okafor
The Brooklyn Nets are on the constant search for young, untapped potential, and Philadelphia 76ers backup center Jahlil Okafor is just that.
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Once a top prospect coming out of Duke, Jahlil Okafor probably predicted his career would be going differently. Off-court issues during his rookie season, mixed with a season ending knee injury soured what was a solid rookie campaign.
His sophomore season started slow, coming back from his knee injury in the previous season. Minutes caps and inflammation of the injury were a struggle and saw him coming off the bench. Once he was cleared, he played sparingly, but posted good numbers in games he saw action. He was shut down late in the season with knee soreness on his previously injured knee.
The injuries raise some concern, but his talent shows through in the games where he is given extended minutes. The question is whether the 76ers would be willing to deal him after they picked up the option on his third year.
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One big, tall, athletic and talented reason that he may be made available is named Joel Embiid. Embiid had a breakout rookie season for the 76ers. He became the star and unequivocally the best player on the roster, despite only playing 31 games due to injury.
With Embiid firmly planted as the premier big man on the team, this slides Okafor down the depth chart. One would assume that this slides him only down to second string, but you’d be mistaken. There is a flurry of talented big men on the roster that have surpassed him.
Although Embiid was the main story of the season, fellow rookie Dario Saric showed a great offensive skillset that planted him in the starting lineup. He showed the ability to handle the ball from the post and use his vision to create for his teammates.
Completing the front court in Embiid and Okafor’s absence last year was second year player Richaun Holmes. Holmes played well in the time that he was given on the court, posting career highs in points, rebounds and blocks. He did enough to compete for a backup spot behind Embiid and a great safety net in case Saric or Embiid must miss time due to injury.
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The final reason for Okafor’s potential availability in the trade market is the 25th pick in the recent NBA Draft, Anzejs Pasecniks. The 21-year-old Latvian has drawn a lot of comparisons to the New York Knick’s Kristaps Porzingis, and if he can become anything like Porzingis, then he will demand minutes.
All of this works in the Nets’ favor, but now comes the part of what can Brooklyn has to give to make the Sixers pull the trigger.
The most logical option is for the Nets to try and deal Trevor Booker. He is in the final year of his contract and would add a veteran presence to a young team. He would be a mentor for the bigs and can still play at a high level. He’d be an asset in close games when composure is needed on the floor.
The next option would be point guard Jeremy Lin. The 76ers drafted point guard Markelle Fultz with the first pick in the draft, and having a solid veteran behind him would benefit him greatly. If Fultz slips up, Lin would be able to step right in and lead the offense without skipping a beat. Couple this with the experience and knowledge he can provide would only speed up Futlz’s development into a potential superstar.
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Outside of those two, Brooklyn doesn’t have much else to offer to a team with a lot of young talent. They have the benefit of Okafor’s health and his spot on the depth chart in their favor. Adding a talented player like Jahlil Okafor will only enhance the already bright future of the franchise.