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Jahlil Okafor Rumored To Be Drawing Interest From Pacers

By George Kondoleon

Nov 9, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) goes up for a shot strong against Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Miles (0) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Philadelphia in overtime 122-115. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) goes up for a shot strong against Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Miles (0) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Philadelphia in overtime 122-115. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jahlil Okafor‘s name is suddenly in the rumor mill once again, this time with Indiana claiming interest.

If I told you last week that Jahlil Okafor would still be on the Sixers and DeMarcus Cousins was a Pelican, you’d probably think I went crazy. Alas, just a few days before the deadline comes and Philadelphia is still looking to move a big.

With many of its initial trade suitors out of the market for big men, one new potential trade partner has emerged. Ramona Shelburne claims that her, Jeff Goodman, and Chris Haynes have all heard that the Indiana Pacers are interested in Jahlil Okafor.

The Pacers previously stated they would be willing to make their 2017 first-round pick available to garner immediate help for Paul George. It appears as though they view Okafor as someone that can do so.

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It’s an interesting trade idea. Jahlil Okafor’s rebounding has been a huge contributor to his struggles, and why his value has diminished so much. The Pacers’ Myles Turner is also not the most effective rebounder. While Okafor is in the tenth percentile in total rebounding percentage, Turner is just marginally better in the twentieth percentile. The “fit” is less than attractive, but a move that the Pacers think could help them now and in the long term.

The Sixers could see themselves cashing in on what they’ve sought out for Okafor in trade talks; a young player and a draft pick. A lottery-protected first and a young perimeter player in Joe Young isn’t the greatest return, but one that benefits the Sixers in more than one way.

Young isn’t much on paper. In his two seasons as a pinned “shooter” he has hit just 21.7% of his three-pointers. He has averaged just 7.7 minutes per game in 66 games, and at 24-years old he could still develop some NBA-salvageable skills. Young wouldn’t be the headliner, but a nice sweetener.

The main value comes in the pick. If Indiana forces a lottery-protection, Sixers should still receive the pick this season. The Pacers are currently in the sixth seed in the East, and despite inconsistencies all season it seems they will secure a playoff spot of some sort.

Jahlil Okafor can bring a potential return of OG Anunboy or Terrance Ferguson, who are promising prospects in the mid to late first-round. It’s almost a no-brainer for the Sixers to pull the trigger on that, especially without the need to take on a big contract.

Next: Sixers Benefited From No Move To NOLA

The Sixers may have a surprisingly perfect trade partner right under their nose with just days left in the deadline. Bryan Colangelo has the opportunity to salvage value in what seemed like an impossible situation. Missing on this could be another damning move he can add to his resumé this season.