Skip to content

Report: Blazers nearly traded for Okafor, acquired Nurkic instead

Action Images / Reuters / USA TO

Jahlil Okafor was apparently nearly a member of the Portland Trail Blazers.

The second-year player was pulled from the Sixers' lineup last week because Philadelphia was close to a deal with Portland involving Okafor, league sources tell TNT's David Aldridge. The Blazers ultimately chose to complete a deal with the Denver Nuggets instead, trading Mason Plumlee and a second-rounder in exchange for center Jusuf Nurkic and a first-round pick.

The Sixers have done little to quiet the rumors surrounding Okafor since the benching, making it known that he's been involved in trade discussions.

"Jahlil Okafor's situation is transparent," head coach Brett Brown told reporters Monday. "He's in the middle of being discussed in trade scenarios. So I felt that it complicates things to play him the last game, and now clearly this is continuing on. That's the reason he isn't here."

Okafor has since returned to the 76ers' lineup, collecting four points, four rebounds, three blocks, and two rebounds in 17 minutes on Wednesday.

The Duke product is averaging 11.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 38 games this season. Nurkic, meanwhile, is averaging 8.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 2016-17.

It remains to be seen whether the Sixers can work out another deal involving Okafor, with the trade deadline less than a week away.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox