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NBA Trade Rumors: Best Landing Spots For Jahlil Okafor

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 4, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) juggles the ball before shooting against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 109-99. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) juggles the ball before shooting against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 109-99. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs players (from left to right) Kawhi Leonard, and Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili (20) watch on the bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs players (from left to right) Kawhi Leonard, and Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili (20) watch on the bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

5. San Antonio Spurs

How confident are the San Antonio Spurs in the present-day legitimacy of the roster? That’s an entirely fair question for a team that, despite winning 67 games in 2015-16, lost in the second round of the NBA Playoffs and could see Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili retire this coming summer.

If the Spurs believe that Jahlil Okafor can be the heart of the interior for the next decade, then it’d be difficult to blame R.C. Buford for making a run at him.

The Spurs have a first-round draft pick, but this will come down to one very important question: how much does San Antonio value LaMarcus Aldridge? It’d certainly be intriguing to pair Aldridge with Okafor, but that’s an unrealistic pursuit.

San Antonio has a number of solid assets, but this would likely come down to a potential Aldridge for Okafor swap—or, more likely, a three-team deal that lands Aldridge on a contender.

I’m in no ways suggesting that San Antonio should pull the trigger without a moment’s notice. It should be explored, however, as a 24-year-old Kawhi Leonard and 30-year-old LaMarcus Aldridge enter different stages of their respective careers.

It’s less likely than the alternative options, but Okafor would thrive alongside Leonard in San Antonio.

Next: Proven Formula

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