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Report: Celtics interested in Jahlil Okafor, but not willing to give up much

USA Today Sports

The Boston Celtics would like to scoop up the unhappy Jahlil Okafor at a discount.

Boston is showing the most interest of any team for the alienated Philadelphia 76ers center, but they're not offering much in a trade since Okafor might be bought out, according to Keith Pompey of Philly.com.

The Celtics have a $8.4-million disabled player exception from Gordon Hayward's horrific ankle injury that could be used to sign Okafor should he reach a buyout, but the Sixers aren't interested in assisting a division rival.

For the time being, Okafor and the Sixers are at an impasse where he's played just one game all season despite being healthy. Okafor clearly wants out, and the Sixers aren't playing him, but management does not want to give the former No. 3 pick away for nothing.

Okafor has proven to be a talented yet flawed prospect in his first three seasons. He can score in the post and is a decent rebounder, but his defensive shortcomings are hard to overlook for a player who exclusively plays center.

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