Recent rumors have emerged that the Philadelphia 76ers are looking to trade young center Jahlil Okafor to the Toronto Raptors for point guard Corey Joseph and a 2017 first round draft pick.
The Sixers trying to deal Okafor is no longer a new issue as it had been reported numerous times since news went out that 2014 third overall selection Joel Embiid is ready to finally make his NBA debut this upcoming season.
Actually, Philly is trying to decide whether it will be Okafor or 2013 sixth overall pick Nerlens Noel who will be dealt. However, the problem is all of the teams interested in acquiring either of the two are bidding low because of the perception that the Sixers are eager to dispose any or both of the two young big men to balance their frontcourt.
Sixers president and general manager Bryan Colangelo insists that they will only trade Okafor or Noel for the right deal and head coach Brett Brown is in full support of the decision and seems like would rather get a jam packed frontline than letting either one of them go for minimal return.
Another rumor that has been swirling recently is the possibility of Okafor getting traded to the Raptors in exchange for Corey Joseph and a 2017 first round selection.
Fansided reported that Okafor "could potentially be one of the NBA's top centre/forwards within the next 3 years" but he is "trapped in the crowded Philadelphia front court" that includes not only him, Embiid, and Noel but also Croatian power forward Dario Saric and this year's first overall pick Ben Simmons.
The report then mentioned that trading Okafor for Joseph and a future pick is a "feasible" one for both sides as the Sixers will have a chance to "eliminate both the crowding in their front court, and a headache of a player", as the young center's recent off-court antics were cited.
Meanwhile, Joseph is a backup point guard that plays at starter-level and has the potential to become a key player to a team that would provide him minutes to do so. As long as Kyle Lowry is in Toronto, Joseph will not have the opportunity to show his true worth as a starter and Philadelphia needs a young veteran floor general to lead their even younger core at the moment.
Morning News USA indicated that Joseph's "best chances of rising in the NBA will likely be elsewhere" while Okafor will complement well with the backcourt duo of Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.