The Chicago Bulls are reportedly interested in acquiring forward Jahlil Okafor from the Philadelphia 76ers. The Bulls are in need of some youth on their roster, so them expressing some interest in the 21-year old Okafor is pretty understandable. The Sixers also have a bit of a logjam with their frontcourt and are trying to move at least one of their pieces to unclog it.
The Chicago Bulls are in the midst of what has been a pretty turbulent season filled with plenty of drama. Before the season began, the Bulls had hoped to build their team around Rajon Rondo, Jimmy Butler, and Dwyane Wade. Wade signed with the Bulls in the offseason as a free agent after spending the first 13 seasons of his career with the Miami Heat.
According to a report from CSN Chicago, the Bulls have been inquiring with the Sixers on the availability of Okafor, the former no. 3 pick from 2015 who also happens to be a Chicago native. Okafor had a solid rookie year averaging 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds before it was cut short by a knee injury. His scoring average has taken a dip this season at 11.5 points per game.
Okafor only played in 5 of Philly's 16 games and he often looked disinterested and passive whenever he stepped into the court. The trade deadline is fast approaching and the Sixers are making it one of their top priorities to ship Okafor. The rise of Joel Embiid, who many see as a true franchise big man, is one of the reasons why Okafor has been relegated to a bench role.
According to CBS Sports, Jerian Grant and Denzel Valentine are a couple of players that the Sixers might be willing to swap for Okafor. Grant and Valentine are both former first round picks and have shown some flashes at playing point guard, which the Sixers are in desperate need of.
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