The Celtics Should Absolutely Pursue Jahlil Okafor

After the Philidelphia 76ers declined to pick up his fourth-year option, rumors have been swirling that big man Jahlil Okafor wants out of Philly. He is currently pursuing to be bought out of his contract, but 76ers management believes that trade interest for him does exist somewhere.

Can you really blame Okafor for wanting out of Philly? Granted, he hasn’t really played up to his potential consistently, but it’s hard to argue that they gave him a fair chance. Okafor was one of three centers Philly used a top-5 pick on and was basically thrown to the end of the bench with the emergence of Joel Embiid.

Assuming @JahlilOkafor did get a buyout, the #Celtics would be the most likely destination for the center.

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) November 1, 2017

According to Keith Pompey of the Philidelphia Inquirer, the Celtics are the team most likely to land the Duke big man following a buyout. The $8.4M they received from the Disabled Player Exception following Gordon Hayward’s injury would give them enough to land Okafor.

So why should the Celtics pursue a guy who hasn’t lived up to high expectations? Because those are the kind of guys I believe Brad Stevens can get the best out of. The fact that he’s making it work right now with what he has for a bench in terms of experience is a true testament to how great of a coach he is.

I really do believe that a fresh start for Okafor would do him good. Coupling that with what Brad Stevens demands from his players on a nightly basis makes it as close to a perfect fit as there could be.

Written By: Nick Cherico (@NickCherico2)