- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
NBA Rumors: Rounding Up Buzz on Jahlil Okafor, Bradley Beal and More
- Updated: May 31, 2016
While most fans are focused on the NBA Finals and the battle for the championship, front offices around the league are thinking about the future and how to improve in the offseason.
This summer is going to be a busy one with high-profile free agents likely to be heavily pursued by just about every team. Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Mike Conley and others could end up changing teams, which could cause some major shifts in the competitive balance of the league.
Beyond the big names, a number of other quality players could be on the move. While we won’t know the plans until they are finalized, here is the latest buzz on some noteworthy moves that can take place in the coming months.
Philadelphia Dealing Big Men
The Philadelphia 76ers have had a plan over the last few years of acquiring players with upside, regardless of position or availability. This has left them with quality players such as Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel as well as Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, who have yet to suit up for the team. With Ben Simmons being the projected top overall pick, this could create a logjam with five players battling for playing time at the 4 and 5.
Considering the team has plenty of other needs on the roster, it makes sense for it to deal at least one of these young players for more assets. According to Marc Stein and Chad Ford of ESPN.com, the 76ers are exploring trades for the two proven players in the group:
The Philadelphia 76ers will explore trading Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel in the buildup to the NBA draft on June 23, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN that the Sixers are determined to gauge the trade market for both Okafor and Noel and are increasingly likely to move at least one of them in conjunction with the draft. … Sources describe Okafor, at this early juncture, as the most likely of the two to be moved in the wake of his rocky rookie season off the floor.
Any eventual deal will likely depend on the potential return, but the demand should be high for either.
The Boston Celtics are one option as a team that needs a center and wants to add players who can make an impact early. With the No. 3 overall pick and plenty of young assets, they could be a reasonable fit.
John Gonzalez of CSN Philly also examined the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets as teams that would be able to offer the types of packages required. Then again, all of them …
continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com
