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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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LOS ANGELES, USA – JANUARY 1: D’Angelo Russell (L) and Julius Randle of Lakers are seen during NBA match between Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center, Los Angeles, California on January 1, 2016. (Photo by Mintaha Neslihan Eroglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, USA – JANUARY 1: D’Angelo Russell (L) and Julius Randle of Lakers are seen during NBA match between Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center, Los Angeles, California on January 1, 2016. (Photo by Mintaha Neslihan Eroglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

4. Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have won 16 NBA championships, and every one of those rings has included the presence of an outstanding big man. There’s no exception to be found; The Laker Way is as tried and true as any formula has ever been.

Jahlil Okafor is nowhere near as established as the legendary Lakers big men of the past, but why not try again?

You can sell the story of how the modern NBA is different from how it used to be, but teams still need competent centers in order to win a championship. Having a great center will always be an elevating factor, especially when the games slow down in the postseason.

Thus, the Lakers’ long and storied history of winning with dominant centers is as relevant today as it’s ever been.

Sans Ben Simmons, one could easily argue that Okafor is a better player than anyone in the 2016 NBA Draft. One could also argue that a sign-and-trade centered around Jordan Clarkson would, at the very least, intrigue the Philadelphia 76ers.

This move doesn’t get done without Los Angeles sacrificing some of its more favorable assets, but history suggests Okafor would be well worth it.

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