He will turn 22 next Friday
Jahlil Okafor got his trade wish and the Nets got a big man with major upside.
The Nets acquired Okafor from the 76ers Thursday in a trade that also included shooting guard Nick Stauskas and a second-round pick in the 2019 draft. Brooklyn sent veteran forward Trevor Booker to Philadelphia in return.
Okafor, the third overall pick of the 2015 draft, was expected to be a linchpin of the Sixers’ rebuilding process, but he has been grasping for minutes due to the strong play of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Robert Covington. With the addition of Markelle Fultz, the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, the Sixers feel primed for long-term success.
Okafor, who has played in just two games this season, said in November he had asked the 76ers for a buyout because he wants to find a team where he “can play.”
Once again, the Nets have picked up a talented player while giving up little. In June, the Nets acquired D’Angelo Russell, as well as Timofey Mozgov, from the Lakers for Brook Lopez and the 27th pick in the 2017 draft.
Booker, the 76ers’ reward, was averaging just over 10 points and two assists in 18 games played this season.