Sixers trade Okafor, Stauskas to Nets for Booker

Jahlil Okafor has finally been freed.

The Philadelphia 76ers traded Okafor, Nik Stauskas, and a 2019 second-round pick (by way of the New York Knicks) to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday in exchange for Trevor Booker.

"We are excited about the prospects of both Jahlil and Nik, as well as adding another future asset which will aid us in our continued roster development," said Nets general manager Sean Marks in an official statement. "This trade provides us with a good opportunity to bring in two young players who were high picks in recent drafts and give them a chance to succeed in our system."

Okafor, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft, became an outcast in the Sixers organization as the team devoted its future to fellow big man Joel Embiid instead. In the public trade saga that followed, it was clear both sides wanted out, but the Sixers were demanding a second-round pick.

Philadelphia ultimately needed to give up a pick of its own to facilitate the deal. However, the Sixers did get rid of Okafor's and Stauskas' contracts in exchange for Booker, a useful bench contributor whose deal expires this summer. That keeps the books clean for a potential run at LeBron James.

"Trevor Booker has been a solid and competitive two-way contributor at every NBA stop. Trevor's abilities should complement our style of play and his experience should add to our bench depth with playoff contention," said Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo in a statement of his own. "Jahlil and Nik are both quality young men with talent that should keep them productive in this league a long time. We hope they find more opportunity in Brooklyn this season and thank them for their contributions over the past few years."

Meanwhile, Brooklyn continues to accumulate talented young pieces on the cheap. Okafor has proven to be a capable scorer, although his game needs to grow if he is to become a viable player in the long run. He will get that chance with the Nets.