Rumors of the Philadelphia 76ers trading Jahlil Okafor to the Chicago Bulls have emerged again even as the team is considering third-year forward Jerami Grant as a possible replacement on defense for Nerlens Noel should they trade him.
The Sixers had been public about their intentions to trade either Okafor or Noel before the new NBA season starts this October, but up to now there are still no official takers to their offers.
Some say that the notion of Philly being openly "desperate" in trying to balance their roster is making any deal difficult to reach as their rumored trade partners wanted to pull off a trade for a bargain, which is something that new team president and general manager Bryan Colangelo will never allow.
Thus, Okafor and Noel are still in Philadelphia, although trade rumors involving the two are still as loud as ever before.
One particular rumor is the Bulls' assumed interest on Okafor, which according to Chat Sports had found its way again in recent headlines.
The report said that Chicago wants "someone who can help them win now and be a building block of their future", possibly to partner with upcoming big man Bobby Portis in their future frontcourt.
At the moment, Robin Lopez and Taj Gibson are anticipated as the Bulls' frontline starters after the departure of Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah in this summer's free-agency. Nikola Mirotic is still with them along with Portis as backup power forwards, but head coach Fred Hoiberg is left with undersized Brazilian Cristiano Felicio as his only option at backup center.
This could explain the reason why rumors are out that Chicago is looking to upgrade their frontcourt lineup.
Meanwhile, Fansided indicated that the Sixers are confident to part ways with Noel because the team believes that 22-year-old Grant can "fill a larger defensive role in the aftermath" of a Noel trade.
The 6-foot-8, long-limbed former Syracuse standout is versatile enough to defend wing players, or even the opposing point guard at times, and Philly thinks that he could play Noel's role on the squad should they eventually trade him this summer.
Grant led the team in blocked shots last season with 1.65 blocks per game.
