It was a splash of cold water in the face of hot Russell Westbrook/DeMarcus Cousins/Blake Griffin rumors — if the Celtics get anyone via trade this summer, the Sixers’ Jahlil Okafor is far more likely than any of those three. It was a reality check (and spot on).
Reality also says it’s not all that likely the Celtics get Okafor, either.
At some point, Danny Ainge will need to push all his chips, or assets, into the middle of the table to land a superstar. But how many would put out for Okafor? Not many according to Keith Pompey of the Philadephia Inquirer.Word out of Boston is that the Celtics will not give up much for the 6-foot-11, 257-pounder.
They have concerns about his playing in the city after being involved in two street fights there in the early hours of Thanksgiving morning. Nor do they like the fact that the center saw a gun pointed at his head in Old City and that he was stopped for going 108 mph over the Ben Franklin Bridge.
Ainge has a reputation for trying to drive a hard bargain in the best of cases, let alone ones where his interest in said player isn’t likely very high. Okafor would fit with the Celtics — the guy can score inside and rebound, valuable NBA skills — but he’s not the game-changer they need. He’s okay. He’s not the answer.
Ainge should not push his chips into the middle of the table for Okafor. If he can get him on a steal he will.
And the Sixers shouldn’t take that kind of an offer for Okafor.
But it’s not fun to talk about why trades won’t happen, so go into the comments and come up with fantasy moves.