Lakers News: Celtics Ready to Pursue Okafor If He Slips to 3
By Alex Torres
It’s been a hectic day for Laker fans. Quite frankly, it’s been an emotional roller coaster since early in the morning. Different beat writers are reporting different things and we still don’t know if the Lakers will take Jahlil Okafor or D’Angelo Russell.
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We’re not even sure if Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers have decided what move they will make when they are on the clock. What we do know is that Kupchak will make the final decision.
If the Lakers do take Russell, one team is ready to make an offer to the Philadelphia 76ers for Okafor. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Boston Celtics are prepared to make a big offer to the Sixers if Okafor is available at the number three slot. (via: CSNNE.com):
"The Celtics are prepared to make a “Godfather”trade offer to the Philadelphia 76ers if Duke’s Jahlil Okafor should slip to the No. 3 spot tonight in the NBA Draft, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on “SportsCenter” Thursday morning.Okafor had been under consideration for the top pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 2. Should he get past them, Windhorst said the Celtics, with a bevy of assets, including the 16th and 28th picks tonight and future picks, will try to entice Philly with a monster package."
Let me get this straight. If the Lakers pass on Okafor, not only will they have to live with the fact that they just passed up on a potential franchise center, but their hated rivals might land him? That’s a nightmare scenario for the Lakers, especially if Okafor develops into one of the best big men in the league.
This won’t affect the Lakers’ decision at number two, but if the Lakers take Russell, then they might have to get used to idea of seeing Okafor in green for years to come. What will Kupchak do? For the sake of this franchise, hopefully he makes the right pick.