Australia Boomers star Patty Mills may be headed out of the lone star state with news that the San Antonio Spurs are looking to sign another center to replace the retired Tim Duncan.
The Philadelphia 76ers 20 year old big man Jahill Okafor has been linked to San Antonio for a number of months now and much like Kevin Durrant and the Golden State Warriors as the rumours get louder, the more likely it is to happen.
In order to trade for Okafor a trade sending Mills and Kyle Anderson would need to be moved for the team to accomodate the $4.58 million Okafor is owed next season.
Sports Illustrated editor Matt Dollinger suggested that if the Spurs engaged in a trade at this point, getting Okafor would be a future investment and that is if the Spurs would be willing to give up some assets in return.
http://www.si.com/nba/video/2016/07/21/five-nba-trade-scenarios
The 76ers have made it no mystery that they are aggressively looking to get into a trade that would unload one of their big man either Okafor or Nerlens Noel.
The Spurs have recently signed Pau Gasol to man the shaded area as their solution after Tim Duncan announced his retirement and after losing in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes during the free agency season. If they could get Okafor in then they would have a flexible rotation that would also involve LaMarcus Aldridge.
“Philadelphia has way too many big men and it’s time for Jahlil to get a fresh start. I would love for him to go to the San Antonio Spurs. Obviously, there so many big shoes to fill in with Tim Duncan being gone and I feel Okafor has been way too fast for his NBA career, this guy could be a perennial All-Star given the right team and the right situation,” Dollinger said.
He added that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich together with Aldridge can guide him in improving his post-up play. Dollinger stated that Okafor would benefit from the Spurs’ pick-and-role play as the team’s system has been seen rich in discipline and patient teamwork.
The possibility of gaining Patty Mills makes sending Okafor to Texas the most rewarding for them with
the trade e Boston Celtics to make a trade happen. But for Dollinger, a trade with the Spurs could prove beneficial for both squads as the 76ers could benefit in having Patty Mills, who has grown to be one of the reliable point guards for the Spurs after Tony Parker and Kyle Anderson.
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Antongiorgi Serg @Serg421
So the Spurs want to trade for either Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor ?
9:52 AM – 17 Jun 2016 · San Antonio, TX, United States
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Investing on Okafor would beneficial for the Spurs in the future. For the 76ers, getting in a trade talk with the Spurs would also answer their problem of the imbalance roster that they have.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
