The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are rumored to be in a trade deal that involves Jahlil Okafor, Jordan Clarkson, and D'Angelo Russell. Rumors claimed that the Sixers is willing to trade its center, Okafor, for Clarkson or Russell.
The Lakers is currently in a tough spot after their center, Timofey Mozgov, sustained a serious injury. According to Sportsrageous, the team is reportedly planning to use Mozgov as the starting center in a roster filled with young players such as Clarkson, Russell, Julius Randle, and Brandon Ingram. That plan, however, could change and the Lakers might be looking for a suitable replacement for Mozgov, and it could be Okafor.
The Lakers has other forwards and centers in the form of Ivica Zubac, Larry Nance, and Tarik Black, but Mozgov is their only big player. The Sixers, meanwhile, has tall men available on the trading block like the 6-foot-11 Okafor and Nerlens Noel.
The Sixers is said to be balancing its lineup for the 2016-17 season, which means they could be willing to trade Okafor or Noel to achieve that plan. The Lakers' available players to be traded are still unknown, but they have point guards (Clarkson and Russell) to send to the Sixers in exchange for a big man.
SportsBlog.com, meanwhile, said the Lakers' should only trade Russell for Okafor and hold on to Clarkson and Ingram. A dynamic consisting of Okafor, Clarkson, and Ingram would put Lakers to an advantage.
Okafor has been involved in multiple trading rumors recently. The 20-year-old player is linked to the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, and the Golden State Warriors.
As for Mozgov, the 30-year-old player underwent an MRI over the weekend after suffering a groin injury while playing for the Russian National Team against Ukraine at the international tournament in Tbilisi, Georgia. The injury made Mozgov miss Russia's next two games in the event, Real GM reported.
Mozgov will be re-evaluated this week to know the extent of his injury. He signed with the Lakers this offseason for a four-year deal worth $64 million after spending one season and a half with the Cleveland Cavaliers. If it turned out to be more serious than it already is, Mozgov's injury could hurt his entrance to the Lakers especially now that training camp is nearing.
Would the Sixers and Lakers greatly benefit from a trade involving Okafor, Clarkson, and Russell? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below and be sure to follow Parent Herald for more NBA news.
