Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia 76ers could be on the brink of trading one of their centers as the team is reportedly in serious talks with the Pelicans about a trade that would ship Jahlil Okafor to New Orleans. Here's the latest:
Sixers & Pelicans in talks about sending Jahlil Okafor to New Orleans. Philly pushing for NO 1st rounder. Story coming at @USATODAYsports
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 6, 2017
Sixers could be getting back unhappy center Alexis Ajinca and a future 1st round pick in a Jahlil Okafor trade to New Orleans, a source said
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) February 6, 2017
Source: Pick protection is the hold up in Okafor trade to NO. NOP wants to lottery protect, while PHI wants to take it down to top 5-10.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 6, 2017
USA Today's Sam Amick was the first to report on the deal and mentions in his column that the Sixers have engaged in talks with eight teams regarding Okafor.
The Sixers, who are known to have engaged with eight teams regarding Okafor, are pushing for the Pelicans’ first-round pick in the deal. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the talks.
Okafor, 21, is averaging 11.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game this season. There's plenty ongoing in this process and the Pelicans are also reportedly pursuing the Nets' Brook Lopez. As mentioned in the tweets above, a potential deal could net the Sixers a center in return, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Philadelphia is hoping to get a first round pick in return, but the Pelicans want the pick to be lottery protected, which means it wouldn't convey if the pick landed between the 1-14 spots in the draft. The Sixers are reportedly looking to get that to a top-10 protection rather than the entire lottery.
In addition, the Pelicans are hoping to unload Omer Asik's gigantic contract in a trade. While the Sixers have plenty of cap space, Asik is owed nearly $33 million over the next three years, something not even Bryan Colangelo and company would feel good doing at this point.
According to Keith Smith of RealGM, the deal will not be completed today and that the Sixers want to bring Jrue Holiday into talks with the Pelicans at this point, something New Orleans doesn't seem open to at this point.
Source: Deal will not complete today. PHI wants to re-engage on bringing Jrue Holiday back to PHI. Trade could expand.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 6, 2017
Source: NOP does not want to trade Holiday, as they want to keep him long term. Ajinca/protected pick for Okafor remains most likely trade.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 6, 2017
More as is develops…
