Jahlil Okafor is ready to play for the Philadelphia 76ers this fall, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t considered the alternatives. The center admitted to reporters that he’s thought about trades out of Philadelphia but said he isn’t hoping for anything in particular as the NBA offseason transitions back into getting ready for the regular season.
Okafor was asked by Tom Moore from GateHouse Media if he’s considered playing for a new team now that the Sixers are expected to have Joel Embiid back at 100 percent this fall. His response was honest, but not particularly inflammatory, as he noted that he hears the rumors but has loved his experience in Philly so far.
https://twitter.com/tmoore76ers/status/894980202819981314
“I have, I hear trade rumors and stuff like that, realizing that having a new scenario, think it might be better than what it is now,” said Okafor. “When it comes to the NBA, this is all I know is wearing a Sixers uniform. And the city’s been great to me, the coaches have been great to me, and my teammates have been great. So I couldn’t be happier.”
So, yes, Okafor has considered it — and how could he not after everything that’s been floated out there over the past year-plus — but he isn’t flat-out asking for a trade like a certain star point guard in Cleveland. He also seems committed to playing in Philadelphia until the team decides he would be better suited elsewhere, and, to his credit, has handled every rumor and criticism that’s come his way with great maturity throughout his time in the NBA.
The logjam at center in Philly isn’t as considerable now that Nerlens Noel is stuck in the free agent netherworld after being dealt to the Mavs last trade deadline, but a fresh start is certainly something that Okafor has considered.
(via Liberty Ballers)
