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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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Feb 5, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) celebrates with guard Isaiah Thomas (4) after making a three-point shot to end the game and beat the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Celtics won 104-103. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) celebrates with guard Isaiah Thomas (4) after making a three-point shot to end the game and beat the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Celtics won 104-103. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have an abundance of trade assets. Danny Ainge would likely prefer to hold onto the No. 3 overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft, but Boston owns the rights to picks No. 16, 23, 31, 35, 45, 51, and 58.

Boston also has a deep crop of gifted young players, including Marcus Smart—a player with whom the 16th and 31st picks can be packaged to pique Philadelphia’s interest.

The Celtics have won 17 NBA championships, and every one of those teams has included a dominant big man. The current head coach, Brad Stevens, trusts his big men to generate offense in isolation, but regularly runs plays to get them efficient looks.

Throw a postseason-caliber roster and cap space into the mix, and Boston becomes the perfect landing spot for Jahlil Okafor.

In Boston, Okafor could continue to develop into the offensive star that he’s on the fast track to becoming. It’s also worth noting that coach Stevens has proven masterful at masking his players’ defensive flaws.

There’s no better outcome for Okafor than to land with a postseason-caliber team that will cover up his weaknesses and allow him to play to his strengths.

must read: Who are the safest prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft?

With the trade assets and roster flexibility to make it happen, Boston should pounce on this grand opportunity.

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