Jahlil Okafor: Almost a Blazer
This could have been the reality instead of acquiring Jusuf Nurkic. Let that sink in.
As reported, the Blazers came oh-so-close to acquiring the second year, troubled center of the 76ers. Instead, the Blazers went ahead and acquired Nurkic.
Rumors have connected the Blazers and Okafor before, but it’s yet another chapter, one that finally brought them together.
Okafor has faced consistency issues on court, and character issues off-court.
To see who the Blazers would’ve given up makes this almost-trade intriguing. With their ample cap space, there is a vast combination of trades that could’ve happened.
To shed salary, the Blazers could’ve offered Crabbe, Meyers Leonard, or Evan Turner in exchange. But, I don’t see Philly wanting to sacrifice salary to deal their odd man out. And now that they shipped out Nerlens Noel, Okafor could see his role increased.
And, quite frankly, I would only be safe with giving up one of those players for Okafor. He presents a risk of never panning out. Portland should hold on to their first rounders for a better deal, rather than as a pot sweetener for Okafor.
A change of scenery could be what the center needs, but the same could be said for Nurkic, and I would rather see what the Nurkic Experience yields instead.
That wraps up a yet another rumored-filled deadline for the Blazers. One trade made, several others came close, and some were pretty far-fetched. Until the offseason for trades Blazers fans, where Olshey will have to look at what to do with all those picks.
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