Jahlil Okafor is on the trade block…again

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly Editor 

Here we go again. 

Jahlil Okafor's name has been tied to trade rumors ahead of training camp after head coach Brett Brown confirmed the that the team is exploring the market on the former third overall pick:

Okafor was haunted by trade rumors last season, linked to the Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls before the team instead moved Nerlens Noel to the Dallas Mavericks. 

Many thought Okafor had outlasted Noel in the Sixers' crowded frontcourt after the trade, but Richaun Holmes appeared to surpass Okafor on the depth chart following the trade with his play. 

Okafor averaged 22.7 minutes per game in his sophomore campaign with 11.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. 

Brown was very open about the team's intention to trade Okafor last season, and that continues with his recent remarks. 

Brown added "Bryan’s [Colangelo] going to do his job. I’m going to coach him, and we are going to see what goes on with the rest of the league in relation to whatever else is out there. But I’m coaching him like he’s mine.”

Brown plans on treating Okafor as a featured player until he receives word that Okafor is no longer on his roster, saying that the Duke product "will get every opportunity to play." Okafor should receive plenty of opportunities to prove his worth as Joel Embiid has still not been cleared to play 5-0n-5 basketball with camp looming. 

Okafor has yet to be informed if the Sixers plan to pick up his option for the final year of his rookie contract that will pay him $6.3 million if it is exercised. 

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