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NBA Trade Rumors: Jahlil Okafor? No Thanks

By Liam O'Brien

Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite the Celtics’ need for a big man, Jahlil Okafor does not supplant Boston with the skill set that they need to bolster their chances of winning the Eastern Conference.

Much speculation surrounded the Philadelphia 76ers‘ decision to force center Jahlil Okafor to abstain from traveling with the team to their contest against the Hornets on Monday night. Despite him being perfectly readily available from an injury standpoint and Sixers’ leading scorer Joel Embiid absent due to a meniscus tear, Okafor remained separated from the squad prompting the rumor mill to sizzle.

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Many iterated that since Okafor’s location changed on Twitter to his hometown of Chicago, a trade to the Bulls was imminent. When Okafor was spotted at Logan Airport ahead of the 76ers contest against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday when he was supposedly distanced from the team, a plethora of pundits considered this to be a sign that the 6’11”, 275-pounder was en route to sporting a kelly green uniform. Additionally, with rumors swirling that the Pelicans are interested in dangling a first-round pick in front of Philadelphia in exchange for the big man, many consider this weekend’s stay in the Big Easy for the Rising Stars Challenge permanent.

Regardless of whether or not the 76ers decide to relinquish their ties to Okafor in a trade deadline deal, one thing is for certain: Celtics general manager Danny Ainge should restrict himself from pulling the trigger on a deal for the Duke product.

First off, Philadelphia’s asking price for Okafor is frighteningly commanding considering his points for 36 minutes decrease from 21.0 to 17.9 in 2016-17. The Celtics would most likely be required to part ways with their rights to the Brooklyn Nets’ lucrative first-round pick this season in addition to point guard Terry Rozier. If Ainge was reluctant to relinquish Rozier in a trade for Serge Ibaka, formerly of the Magic, then there is little merit to the argument that he would send Rozier to the City of Brotherly Love for an unproven big man.

Additionally, the acquisition of Okafor would not be enough to remedy the Celtics’ current deficiencies. With the fifth-worst rebounding differential in the NBA at -3.6, Boston needs some grit-and-grind characters down low to replace the softness that they have been plagued with on the defensive glass.

The Celtics currently have just one front court option who averages more than six rebounds per game, as Al Horford posts 6.6 per night. Glaring is the fact that Horford’s total rebound percentage sits at just 11.2 percent. Comparatively, center Kelly Olynyk (4.8 rebounds per game) has a total rebound percentage of 12.6 percent while big man Amir Johnson‘s rebound rate is just 13 percent, his lowest percentage since 2005-06.

The issue with Okafor is that he would not assist in fixing this issue. Okafor holds a total rebound percentage of just 11.5 percent, a measly figure considering his monstrous frame. After averaging 8.4 rebounds per 36 minutes last season, he is posting just 7.5 per the same time frame this year, with his defensive rebound percentage dropping from 17.8 percent a season ago to 15.2 percent this year.

Offensively, Okafor’s repertoire has seen little improvement as well. His ability to pass the ball has remained stagnant as his assist percentage of 8.2 percent is identical to his mark in 2015-16. He has yet to add much range to his arsenal, shooting just 40.7 percent on shots from 3-10 feet and 27.8 percent on shots from outside 16 feet, and his offensive box plus-minus has fallen from -2.6 to -3.2 in 2016-17.

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It remains to be seen if the 76ers decide to pull the plug on one of their handful of frontcourt projects. However, if any Philadelphia center finds his way to the Celtics, it will be Boston native Nerlens Noel and not Okafor.