Philadelphia 76ers: 3 reasons Jahlil Okafor needs a contract buyout
2. Competition makes the world go round
The Philadelphia 76ers have had their fair share of luck in the NBA Draft lottery. As they set their sights on the NBA Playoffs, letting Jahlil Okafor walk is certainly not in their deck of cards. One reason is the increasing interest the Boston Celtics have shown in the big man.
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After newly acquired free agent Gordon Hayward went down with a season-ending injury, the Celtics were awarded an $8.4 million injury exception. Other teams that are showing interest are the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls. Philadelphia is still holding out though in hopes of obtaining a draft pick.
The Sixers want the Celtics’ first round pick for Okafor, but there’s a very low likelihood they’ll get their wish. If Philadelphia fears Okafor going to Boston for free, so be it, but competition makes the world go round.
With or without a potential draft pick, the Sixers would be no better off this season as they don’t have a need for Okafor at all. It’s not Jerry Colangelo’s fault Okafor was drafted to Philadelphia, but it is his job to manage the roster. Okafor will become a free agent at season’s end if they don’t trade him by the Feb. 8 NBA Trade Deadline.
The situation is still an ongoing mess but hopefully, Philadelphia wisens up a bit and just buys out the rest of Okafor’s contract.