For now, either move seems less and less probable because the Sixers
would likely have to part with some of their prized future Draft picks.
In short, Max Jones Women's Jersey the Sixers and Okafor remain in limbo. ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski
caught up with Okafor and Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo to gauge their
thoughts on the state of affairs. He reports that Colangelo has dropped
his asking price for Okafor from two first-round picks to a first-round
pick and a solid player to a second-round pick. Still, the Sixers
haven't been able to work out a trade for Okafor, which is frustrating
the big man:
"This is my third year in the NBA, and I know it's a business. I
don't know if it's fair or not, but in talking to other people in the
NBA, talking to retired players, one thing I've heard them say is that
what's going on with me isn't right and they've never seen anything like
this before.
"I know it's Nick Ritchie Women's Jersey business, but in my eyes, I don't know if it's good business."
"We appreciate the effort that [Okafor] has put forth, and other
than a little frustration expressed recently, he's been patient waiting
for an opportunity to play," Colangelo told ESPN. "I continue to explore
opportunities with both Jahlil and [agent] Bill Duffy to find a more
suitable spot for him."
More than half of the NBA's teams suggested to ESPN that they would
have an interest in acquiring Okafor as a long-term project. But none
seem inclined to give up a draft asset to do so. All prefer to wait
until he's a free agent -- which is why Duffy and Okafor are pushing
hard for a buyout, especially considering that the Sixers are flush with
multiple first- and second-round draft picks over the next several
years.
As for the buyout talks, Ondrej Kase Women's Jersey that seems to be of no interest to Colangelo, Wojnarowski reports.
There remains hope, Wojnarowski writes, in the Sixers' front office that
Okafor's $5 million contract could be packaged as part of a deal before
the Feb. 9 trade deadline. What's also important is how Okafor's
treatment by the Sixers is viewed in league circles as Bill Duffy,
Okafor's agent, is one of the most prominent in the league.
"I'm hopeful that Bryan will do what has always brought him and the
players in his organization success and be flexible as Jahlil has
handled himself the right way," Duffy told ESPN. "There's been a focus Patrick Eaves Women's Jersey on trading Jah for the past nine months, but nothing has come to
fruition. At this point, it's time to exercise that flexibility because I
don't think anything in the marketplace is going to change. His
contract is still going to expire in June, and teams are still going to
hold onto their assets.
"We are simply requesting the organization be willing to proceed
reasonably and allow Jah to get on with his career," Duffy said. "The
Sixers are positioned well for the present and the future, and we only
want the same for Jahlil."
