AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Jahlil Okafor wasn’t willing to speculate Monday night whether he thinks he’ll be dealt before the Feb. 23 trade deadline.
But if Monday night proves to be Okafor’s last game in a Sixers jersey, the former first-round pick made it crystal clear why he’s drawing heavy interest from teams around the league.
The subject of several trade rumors in recent weeks, Okafor proved to be the lone bright spot in an otherwise ugly loss for the shorthanded Sixers, who fell to the Pistons, 113-96, at the Palace (see Instant Replay).
Given the circumstances, Okafor put up an impressive display typically reserved for NBA veterans. To shine under the spotlight, while mired in trade talks, as Okafor did, spoke volumes to Sixers coach Brett Brown.
“For him to come out and just jump out into this game like he did, and show his skill, I’m proud of him,” Brown said.
Mere hours before tipoff, multiple reports surfaced that identified Okafor as the centerpiece of a potential trade between the Sixers and Pelicans. A league source confirmed to CSNPhilly.com's Jessica Camerato that the Sixers are actively engaging in trade discussions with New Orleans regarding Okafor (see story).
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USA TODAY first reported the trade talks Monday afternoon, noting that the Sixers are seeking a first-round pick in exchange for Okafor.
Whether a deal will be completed before this month’s trade deadline remains uncertain, but it’s clear the Sixers are willing to field offers from teams.
Okafor, meanwhile, doesn't appear to be the least bit interested in talking about it. To him, rumors mean nothing.
“I’m happy where I’m at right now,” Okafor said. “It’s all rumors right now, until it comes true.”
Okafor may be quick to dismiss trade talks as simply rumors, but reported discussions between the two teams make perfect sense given the Sixers’ quality depth at the five, and the Pelicans’ desire to add an offensive-minded big man to star alongside Anthony Davis (see story).
But none of that appears to matter to Okafor, whose sole focus Monday night was to help the Sixers snap a three-game skid.
“That’s something I’m probably going to have to deal with my entire career,” Okafor said. “It’s something I dealt with last year, and it’s something I’ll probably have to deal with next year, too.”
A surprise scratch Saturday, Okafor returned to the starting lineup Monday and responded by sinking his first three shots, finishing with a team-high 16 points. Standing at 6-foot-11, Okafor ran the floor and showed the athleticism and agility that made him the No. 3 overall pick in 2015.
“When you see Jahlil in that mindset, that mood, you see his skill,” Brown said. “He can score. He really can score.”
The Sixers were outscored 34-21 in the third quarter and never seriously challenged the Pistons, but Okafor certainly wasn’t to blame for the fourth straight loss.
Simply put, the Sixers were no match for Pistons star Andre Drummond, who already had 11 points at halftime. The league’s reigning rebound leader finished with 16 points and 17 boards.
“There’s been a tenacity that, at times, goes away,” said Brown when asked to address the team’s four-game skid. “We really got out-physicalled, at times, on the boards.”
Poor shooting from behind the arc also doomed the Sixers, who went 5 of 28 from three-point range. Nik Stauskas and Ersan Illyasova each went 0 for 5.
There was plenty not to like about Monday’s loss. Brown mentioned a handful of those concerns during his postgame session. But not all was bad. Okafor made sure of that.
“He’s been a star,” Brown said. “My Philadelphia media friends have heard me talk about it just ad nauseam. He has just been a star.”