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Report: Jahlil Okafor Is 'Most Likely' Trade Target For Boston

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Boston Celtics have and the Philadelphia 76ers have been linked in trade rumors for weeks now.

According to a CSNNE.com report (via LibertyBallers.com) this week, "the consensus among league executives" is that Sixers center Jahlil Okafor is the "most likely" player to wind up in Boston. Furthermore, an NBA scouts explained why Okafor is more expendable than Nerlens Noel.

"Okafor is the better scorer; it's not even close really," the scout said via CSNNE.com. "But Nerlens has that ability to run the floor and can protect the rim. Those two qualities -- you can't have enough guys in the frontcourt who call those two skills, strengths. That's why Okafor is the more expendable player."

The Celtics and Sixers reportedly were close to getting a deal done on draft day, but ultimately, the hold up may be the Celtics want to acquire a "big fish" like a Russell Westbrook or a Blake Griffin.

"It's clear that Boston isn't looking to just add a player who can make them better," a league official told CSNNE.com. "They're looking for a guy who can come in and make an immediate impact in a really, really big way. Okafor's good, but I don't think he's that kind of guy for that team."

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