NBA trade rumors about Celtics trading Jahlil Okafor from the Philadelphia 76ers have been making the rounds lately. If such a deal pushes through, what assets will the Celtics give up?
Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers: Trade Expectations
The Celtics reportedly is short of big guys but plenty of defensive players, according to the Boston Herald. For the Philadelphia 76ers, the situation is reverse, it has plenty of tall players but its wing men are in short supply. A trade between the two team seemed simple enough, big guys for wing support players.
Boston Celtics - Philadelphia 76ers Rivalry
What complicate things is the fact that both Boston and Philadelphia are in the same division. Neither Danny Ainge nor Bryan Colangelo would willingly hand over a player that could give the other team the upper hand. Beside the rivalry between the two teams is legendary.
Boston Celtics Going For Okafor?
Meanwhile, trade talks between the Celtics and the 76ers have been going for almost eight months now. The Boston is reportedly interested in Okafor and possibly Nerlens Noel. Ainge is also said to be willing to give up some of his team's best players if such trade would yield a star player. On the other hand no deal with prosper if Philadelphia ask for Marcus Smart in exchange.
That superstar is possibly Okafor. NBA observers described the 76 player's offense skill are a currently among the best. However, Okafor needs some work on his defense. He is also recovering from knee injury, according to the Inquirer Daily News.
Philadelphia 76ers Ready to Give Up Okafor?
There are reports that the 76ers are willing to give up Okafor if Joel Embiid is fit to play for the team. If not, the Okafor will likely stay put. But even if Embiid is ready for this season, the 76ers will not trade Okafor today but possibly next summer, according to the NBA rumor grapevine.
