Latest rumors have emerged that the Philadelphia 76ers could end up dealing Jahlil Okafor to the New York Knicks as the club is deeming Nerlens Noel as a more compatible backup for Joel Embiid.

Last offseason began with rumors that either Okafor or Noel is going to get traded as Embiid was finally ready to play his debut season in Philadelphia. Embiid has always been considered as the head coach Brett Brown's preferred starting center among the three big men with either Okafor or Noel as primary backup.

Like Us on Facebook

That situation means Okafor or Noel is set to become a third-tier player in the Sixers rotation, which is something that will not help develop the career of either one of them.

In one interview, Noel had referred to their current logjam at the center spot as "silly" and that he would be willing to get traded to help the Sixers fix the said problem.

However, Fansided's Sixers Sense recently indicated that it is Okafor who is more likely to get traded instead of Noel as Coach Brown finds the latter "more compatible with Embiid" in his system.

Aside from being a better off-the-bench rim protector that would not decrease the Sixers' defensive intensity when the starters are rested, Noel is said to be a better complement with Embiid when playing together.

Right now, the Sixers are moving in that direction as Okafor had been relegated to "end-of-the-bench cheerleader status" which includes a couple of DNP-coach's decision in the team's last two games against Boston and Brooklyn.

"It's not ideal to put anybody in it," said Okafor about the DNPs, via the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Obviously, it's a funky situation. Funky for all of us. Right now, I'm the person who's sitting out."

Sixers Sense that this situation has opened the opportunity for the Knicks to target Okafor and the Sixers could be willing to trade him for the right offer coming from New York.

Okafor is said to be an ideal center for the triangle offense because of his natural inside scoring, passing, and playmaking skills that still has a lot of room for improvement.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA Trade Rumors 2017, Jahlil Okafor, philadelphia 76ers, new york knicks