After the Philadelphia 76ers rejected center Jahlil Okafor's request to enter into contract buyout discussions, general manager Bryan Colangelo continues to work to accommodate Okafor with a trade, league sources told ESPN.
Colangelo has remained determined to find an Okafor trade that will bring the Sixers back an asset, but the Sixers ultimate deal point could be centered on future second-round draft picks, league sources told ESPN.
Several teams have shown interest in Okafor as a reclamation project, and league sources said that the aftermath of a possible Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe trade could trigger the freeing of a roster spot or salary cap space for a team to absorb Okafor. The Suns have been monitoring Okafor's circumstance with the 76ers, and a Bledsoe deal could create the moving parts around the league necessary for Okafor to be relocated.
The 76ers declined to exercise the option on Okafor's 2018-19 contract, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent in July. Okafor makes $5 million this season.
Okafor, 21, was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, but he has been unable to crack a rotation in Philadelphia under coach Brett Brown. The Sixers invested a five-year, $146.5 million maximum contract into starting center Joel Embiid.
