Skip to content
Sixers
Link copied to clipboard

Latest rumors about 76ers' Jahlil Okafor ahead of NBA trade deadline: Pacers, Kings, Lakers, Bulls

The 76ers and center Jahlil Okafor are in the middle of swirling NBA trade rumors with the approach of Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline. Check back for updates.

The 76ers and center Jahlil Okafor are in the spotlight ahead of the NBA's trade deadline, 3 p.m. Thursday. We'll have updates right here.

For the latest rumors and breaking news from other NBA teams, follow our live tracker here.

3:13 p.m.: The trade deadline has passed, and Jahlil Okafor is still a 76er. David Aldridge hears that isn't going to change:

12:15 p.m.: As the internet explodes over the 76ers' trade of Nerlens Noel to the Dallas Mavericks, Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski asserts that the deal "likely means the 76ers will retain Jahlil Okafor." Make of that what you will.

9:37 a.m. Thursday: Keith Pompey reminds us that Okafor's desire to go to Chicago shouldn't be a surprise:

There was always the belief that the Chicago Bulls were the preferred trade destination for Jahlil Okafor... Sources have said that Okafor was excited about the possible opportunity to play for his hometown team once news broke last month that the Bulls were interested.

8:51 a.m. Thursday: What's on the Bulls' mind as they consider a potential deal? Here's an answer from K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:

8:45 a.m. Thursday: ESPN's Marc Stein hears that Okafor wants to go to Chicago if he's going to be traded. Which is no surprise, as that's where he grew up:

7:30 a.m. Thursday: The Chicago Bulls might not be out of the picture yet, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski:

Talks with the Chicago Bulls were continuing Wednesday night, with the Bulls working to persuade the 76ers to accept forward Nikola Mirotic as part of a trade package, league sources said.

Also, the 76ers tried to set up a deal with Detroit, but according to Sports Illustrated's Jake Fischer, the Pistons said no:

4:15 p.m. Wednesday: Jahlil Okafor spoke at 76ers practice Wednesday, saying "If I'm here, I'd be more than happy." As Keith Pompey reported on Sixers Now:

The New Orleans Pelicans, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls were teams that had expressed some interest. However, sources have said the Bulls and Nuggets are no longer interested.

Okafor, however, said the Sixers had discussions with 10 or 11 teams.

Click here for Keith's full story, which includes more remarks from Okafor on his uncertain future.

Tuesday night: Speaking on NBA TV, David Aldridge reported on interest from a few teams we hadn't heard about before:

He's still very much in play — a lot of teams [are] trying to get him. Two of those teams wound up making deals in the last couple of days. New Orleans was one of the main places that was looking at him. They wound up going ahead and doing [a trade for DeMarcus] Cousins.

There have been reports about Indiana trying to get him, and that makes sense for a first-round pick. I think there's other deals out there as well for Okafor. I don't think that's done yet.

But he will get moved, I can tell you that. They are not going to go into next season with him on the roster, and they are not going to finish out this season with him on the roster.

So it could be — the Lakers were one such opportunity and they may be in play. I'm not ruling out other teams like Sacramento, maybe, as well, who now can offer more minutes and more opportunities for more big men now that Cousins is gone.

They've got a lot of offers to sift through. Indiana is one of those. But he will get moved by Thursday.

Earlier Tuesday: ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Jeff Goodman, and Chris Haynes combined on a report that the Pacers are interested in acquiring Okafor:

The Indiana Pacers have reached out to the Philadelphia 76ers to inquire about second-year center Jahlil Okafor, league sources told ESPN.

Sources say Indiana is surveying the trade market looking for assistance on the wing as well as in the frontcourt, but it's unclear how serious the Okafor talks are at this point.

The Pacers, sources told ESPN, have alerted teams that their 2017 first-round draft pick is up for grabs. The aggressive approach is in an effort to supply help for All-Star forward Paul George.

Last week: Yeah, it's from last week, but in case you missed it, David Aldridge got wind of what was really behind Okafor sitting out for those few games: