Sixers Benefited From Not Moving Jahlil Okafor To New Orleans

The Sixers lost another trade suitor in New Orleans, but may have benefited more from the non-trade than they would have if an Okafor deal was made.

Another season, another total Woj bomb. The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski shook the basketball world by reporting the Sacramento Kings shipped star center DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans were supposedly in the market for Jahlil Okafor prior to landing the blockbuster trade.

It’s obvious the Sixers were third party winners in this trade. The famed pick swap that came in the genesis version of the Kings’ fleece is now looking much more desirable than before. The Kings essentially gave away their star player for a struggling rookie, some veteran role players, a first-round pick, and ironically Philadelphia’s second-rounder.

Sacramento is clearly worse off this season. After recently finding some spurts of wins, the Kings are now set to secure one of the ten worst records this season. This will allow them to keep their pick, which they will owe to Chicago in 2018, also unlocking the use of the pick swap for the Sixers.

There was some reaction when ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne tweeted out an interesting statement about New Orleans almost making a deal for Jahlil Okafor, but coming away with DeMarcus Cousins.

Naturally, the debate started on if the Sixers should have done the deal. Now, New Orleans’ 2017 pick would have had a lottery protection, and it was reported that the pick would become two future second-rounders. Along with that, the Sixers would have had to take on either Alexis Ajinca or Omer Asik‘s contract.

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While not the same package, the centerpieces were similar. At first you’d think failing to trade Okafor would be a loss for the Sixers, but Philadelphia actually got a better return in this non-trade. Imagine if both teams pulled the trigger on an Okafor deal.

The Sixers would receive a lottery-protected from a team that would almost undoubtedly miss the playoffs. Meaning they’d only get two future second-round picks and a salary dump for young talent. Instead, they simply watched as the Kings rapidly improve the chances of a pick swap happening. A chance to swap for a higher first-round pick is much more attractive than two future second-round picks.

Now, this does make moving Okafor before the deadline a bit more difficult, but the Sixers practically increased their return without even making a move. If they end up trading Okafor, it probably will be for something marginal like the Pelicans’ offer. But this time, the Sixers also have the extra ammo on the pick swap.

Next: Okafor Could Still Get Traded To Boston

So, Bryan Colangelo may have lucked out on failing to make a move…for now. Philadelphia must still figure out this front court mess, but for now there’s some light in the non-move of Jahlil Okafor.