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NBA Trade Rumors: High-Profile Players In Dire Need Of A Trade

By Maxwell Ogden

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 15: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings during the basketball game agains the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center March 15, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 15: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings during the basketball game agains the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center March 15, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Feb 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) drives against Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Washington Wizards won 103-94. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) drives against Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Washington Wizards won 103-94. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers

Position: Center
Age: 20 (12/15/1995)
2016-17 Salary: $
Slash Line: .508/.167/.686
Season Averages: 30.0 MPG, 17.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.3 ORPG, 1.2 APG, 1.2 BPG

The Philadelphia 76ers have invested the future of the organization in unproven center Joel Embiid. Embiid is an unfathomably massive individual with superstar potential, but in two NBA seasons, he’s played a grand total of zero games.

According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the 76ers are shopping both Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, but prefer to trade the latter.

"The Sixers are shopping Okafor and center Nerlens Noel to other NBA teams. The franchise is expected to trade the player who brings them a better deal. Sources have said that the team would prefer to trade Okafor."

In 2015-16, Okafor joined Karl-Anthony Towns as the first rookies to average at least 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block since Pau Gasol in 2001-02.

Okafor led the Duke Blue Devils to the 2015 NCAA championship, and became the first freshman to win ACC Player of the Year. Mere months later, the 76ers selected Okafor at No. 3 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Unfortunately, Philadelphia has drafted four big men between 2013 and 2015, and the absence of perimeter depth has caught up with it.

Embiid is the franchise’s most coveted player after the recently drafted Ben Simmons. Joining that duo on the roster are Okafor, Noel, and Dario Saric, who are all competing for minutes at power forward or center.

Okafor could develop into one of the better centers in the NBA, but Philadelphia won’t have enough minutes to spread around, and that’s why he needs to get out of town.

Next: Cast Aside

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