Hoops Habit
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers: 4 potential landing spots for Jahlil Okafor trade

By Simon Smith

Dec 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) reacts against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) reacts against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Memphis Grizzlies

Despite yet another trip to the postseason, the Memphis Grizzlies are a strong chance of experiencing somewhat of a changing of the guard this offseason. Zach Randolph, in many ways the heart and soul of the team, will soon turn 36 and hits unrestricted free agency this summer.

Randolph completed yet another productive season, averaging 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds in 24.5 minutes per game, primarily off the bench. The Grizzlies need to decide if they wish to continue down the same path with their tried-and-tested roster, or to branch out slightly and inject some youth and freshness into their squad.

Having completed the second season of a two-year, $20 million deal, Randolph is bound to receive numerous offers on the open market this season. In addition to Randolph, veterans Vince Carter ((40), and Tony Allen (35) are also out of contract. With the Grizzlies already on the books for $95.1 million worth of salaries for the 2017-18 season, the time could be right to change things up in their frontcourt.

Enter Okafor. Despite center Marc Gasol competing in his third All-Star game this season, the aging process and the risk of injury is ever-increasing at age 32. Gasol was sidelined for the final 30 games of the 2015-16 season after suffering a navicular bone fracture in his right foot.

Bringing in Okafor could be a terrific move on a number of levels. Firstly at just 21, Okafor has his whole career ahead of him. He could fit in seamlessly in taking on the minutes vacated by Randolph, while at a lesser hit to the salary cap. Furthermore, the mentoring Gasol could provide with Okafor over the coming years could represent a complete win-win for both the player and the franchise.

In return, the Sixers have stated repeatedly that they are after shooters this offseason. The Grizzlies’ Troy Daniels ranked among the elite three-point shooters in the league this season. Per-36 minutes, Daniels ranked first in three-point attempts (10.8 per game) and second in three-pointers made (4.2 per game). Overall, he connected at 38.9 percent from behind three, averaging 8.2 points in 17.7 minutes per game.

Check below for the highlights of Daniels’ career-high 31-point performance this season, which included 6-of-12 from behind three.

Daniels, 25, has bounced around the league since going undrafted coming out of Virginia Commonwealth, with the Grizzlies representing his fifth team in four seasons. The “pace and space” mantra preached by coach Brown would fit ideally with Daniels’ skill set.

If the Grizzlies were able to include a future first-round selection to sweeten the deal, this could represent a real win-win for both Okafor and the Sixers.