Jahlil Okafor May Be On His Way to New Orleans

[Androslav]

It sounds like Ajinca and a future first.

odd.

Ajinca is a center with a nearly identical contract to Okafors doesnt do very far in clearing up the logjam.

It won't clear the logjam, but it's better to get a future first round pick and sit Ajinca on the bench than it is to just sit Okafor

I agree. Sixers have probably done their homework around the league and think this is the best move on the table.
Couple of more thoughts:
With New Orleans selling their future assets and with possible underwhelming performance by Okafor, AD could grow inpatient. Boston alert.
Sixers decided to resove the lockjam. They feel confident in their rotation and chemistry at the big spots. Holmes can play too. Ajinca will warm the stands.

[Who]

Awful. Stop screwing up Anthony Davis' team.

Play AD at center!

[PAOBoston]

I also wonder if this is an indication that Philly will keep Noel longterm.

The way he was treated, not sure if he would want to stick around there.

Also, I can't believe people wanted to trade the #3 overall pick last draft for this guy. A bench guy and a likely lottery protected pick. Wowzers.

[indeedproceed]

Its a good trade for New Orleans. For Philadelphia it is a hand-wringer because you just don't know how it will shake out with Okafor. If he had the same college career and was going to be a rookie this year, he'd go the same place in the draft.

This could very well be a situation where Okafor in Philadelphia would never be more than a mediocre backup 5, but in New Orleans he could be a fringe all-star. Trousers of Time kind of thing.

[celticsclay]

I told everyone about a month ago that Okafor wouldn't get much more than a late first rounder. I was called crazy, delusional and insulted in various manners by a few posters on the board. Kind of funny if a month later that is exactly what happens. (unless people are pretending a plodding 28 year third string French center is some kind of haul)

[The Oracle]

N.O. will overpay, I would expect nothing less from them after their continuously horrible decisions in the personnel they choose to surround Davis with.  By overpay I mean give ANYTHING for Okafor.  What a terrible idea to stick him next to Davis.

[Ogaju]

[dang], I want him badly 

Oh, well.  Can't always get what you want.

you want Ajinca?

[TA9]

I also wonder if this is an indication that Philly will keep Noel longterm.

The way he was treated, not sure if he would want to stick around there.

Also, I can't believe people wanted to trade the #3 overall pick last draft for this guy. A bench guy and a likely lottery protected pick. Wowzers.

Does Noel have a choice? He is going to be a RFA this summer, hence Philly could match every offer he gets. He would need to stick around one more season after this one in order to sign with another team. Not sure if it's worth the hassle.

But I agree, it doesn't seem like he would like stick around.

[Androslav]

Good salary relief move for the Pelicans though.

[celticsclay]

Its a good trade for New Orleans. For Philadelphia it is a hand-wringer because you just don't know how it will shake out with Okafor. If he had the same college career and was going to be a rookie this year, he'd go the same place in the draft.

This could very well be a situation where Okafor in Philadelphia would never be more than a mediocre backup 5, but in New Orleans he could be a fringe all-star. Trousers of Time kind of thing.

If Okafor was drafted today after the same college career he would go much lower in the draft. The league has changed style of play immensely the last 2-3 seasons with 3 point shooting records being set every year. If you are not a stretch big with a versatile offensive game you really need to be elite on defense to be in contention for an all-star berth (someone like Gobert). Okafor is neither versatile on offense nor a good defender, at times he is actually one of the worst defenders in the league AND he is a bad rebounder. Best case scenario he rounds out his game and becomes a bench player.

[BE-Celtic]

It appears that NO wants the first round pick to be top 14 protected and that is the reason the trade is not done yet.

I must a admit a first round pick from NOLA is kinda valuable lol. Espacially this year, with Philly needing guards

EDIT : From Philly perpsective, I don't see what Ajinça brings. It's not centers they need.

[mef730]

N.O. will overpay, I would expect nothing less from them after their continuously horrible decisions in the personnel they choose to surround Davis with.  By overpay I mean give ANYTHING for Okafor.  What a terrible idea to stick him next to Davis.

I figured that Okafor was going to start at center because NO is trading Anthony Davis to us.

Mike

[celticsclay]

It appears that NO wants the first round pick to be top 14 protected and that is the reason the trade is not done yet.

I must a admit a first round pick from NOLA is kinda valuable lol. Espacially this year, with Philly needing guards

EDIT : From Philly perpsective, I don't see what Ajinça brings. It's not centers they need.

If the Pelicans don't keep their top 14 protection on that pick they are idiots.

[celticsclay]

https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/828728949794541568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

This doesn't really make sense. If the idea is to make a playoff push why would the pelicans trade away their only above average guard...

[RJ87]

Latest talk is that Philly is asking for Jrue Holiday in a deal.

Sam Amico ‏@AmicoHoops  14m14 minutes ago
More
 Several NBA agents tell me they hear Sixers seek Pelicans' Jrue Holiday as part of package in return for Jahlil Okafor, as reported by Yahoo