BROOKLYN NETS POTENTIAL STEAL IN OKAFOR
The Brooklyn Nets acquired center Jahlil Okafor, guard Nik Stauskas and a second-round draft pick in 2019 from the Philadelphia 76ers for forward/center Trevor Booker.
What does it give the Brooklyn Nets
It's hard not to love this risk by the Nets. Okafor is a potential franchise center who turns just 22 years old this month, and he's already proven he can score at a stellar level in the NBA post. He's not a perfect player yet by any stretch of the imagination, but a combination of injuries and team depth issues in Philly kept him from playing as much as his talent warrants. Similarly, Stauskas has some starter talent and may thrive with the change of scenery. Both players are set to become unrestricted free agents after this season, so the Nets can move on quickly if it doesn't pan out. Great move by GM Sean Marks.
What does it give the Philadelphia 76ers
This deal may eventually haunt the 76ers, but it seemed there just wasn't enough room at center for both of Okafor and rising superstar Joel Embiid. Booker is a gritty veteran who brings superb toughness, versatility, and production to the Philly big man rotation. And like Okafor and Stauskas, Booker has a contract that expires following this season--so he might end up simply being a rental player. Regardless, this is a solid 'win now' move by Philadelphia, even though general manager Bryan Colangelo is giving up a lot of talent and a draft pick to get the deal done.
Fantasy impact
Okafor immediately becomes a player to snap up in most fantasy formats. He has a chance to step in and start for Brooklyn right away, and he should be expected to play with a chip on his shoulder the rest of this season (to both prove detractors wrong and to earn a big new contract). The fantasy fortunes of Stauskas are harder to gauge, since the Nets have several talented perimeter players already on the roster (including Allen Crabbe, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Caris LeVert); but at least this represents a new chance for 'Sauce Castillo' to prove himself, so keep Stauskas on the fantasy radar. As for Booker, his fantasy value probably stays roughly the same because his role with Philadelphia will probably be similar to the one he had with Brooklyn: being the first big man off the bench. Look for his arrival to cut into the playing time of Amir Johnson and Richaun Holmes.
