Sixers trade hits a snag
The three-team trade the 76ers are involved in is stuck in the holding pattern.
DALLAS - The three-team trade the 76ers struck last week is stuck in a holding pattern.
It was supposed to be finalized Sunday. But the Sixers, Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets agreed to a 24-hour extension that pushes the deadline back to 6 p.m. Monday.
The problem is that Donatas Motiejunas, who went to Detroit from Houston, has back issues and has not been cleared to play. If he's unable to pass the physical, the trade could be voided.
On Thursday, the Sixers acquired center Joel Anthony and a 2017 second-round draft pick in the deal. In exchange for the former Detroit Pistons reserve center, the Sixers sent the rights of overseas player Chu Maduabum to the Rockets. They also received a protected first-round pick from the Pistons. Detroit received Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton from Houston.
The Sixers waived guard JaKarr Sampson on Thursday night to make room for Anthony on the 15-man roster. They are leaning toward waiving Anthony if the trade becomes final. Sampson cleared waivers Sunday and the Sixers hoped to re-sign him after they released Anthony. They can't do anything until the trade becomes finalized.
Okafor: 'Just rumors'
One would assume that Jahlil Okafor was feeling a bit uneasy after his name constantly came up before Thursday's trade deadline.
Eight months after selecting him third overall, the 76ers talked with other teams regarding his availability in a trade. There was even a Boston Herald report, citing a source, that the Celtics had a blockbuster deal in place to acquire the center that eventually was pulled off the table. Several league sources later said a deal was never in place.
"I'm fine," Okafor said of dealing with the trade discussions. "Rumors have been coming out about me all year. It's just rumors. People here, I talked to them [beforehand]. We are all good where we are at right now."
Okafor said he hasn't spoken to anyone about the trade rumors.
"Before they came out, they told me that I was one of the building pieces of this franchise, and I'm excited about that," he said. "So when the rumors came out, I already knew what was going on here. So I'm fine."
Okafor also said the Sixers "assured me that they want me here."