NBA Rumors: Atlanta Hawks Announce Jahlil Okafor Trade; Dwight Howard Threatened Over Young C

Sep 05, 2016 01:09 AM EDT

The exit of Al Horford from the Atlanta Hawks was a huge blow to the Kyle Korver team. While Dwight Howard is a great replacement, the NBA team is said to still be looking for a young star to build their roster around. Hence, it comes as no surprise that a Jahlil Okafor trade is on its way for the Atlanta Hawks. However, the former Houston Rockets big man and controversial James Harden frenemy is reportedly blocking the trade with sources claiming that he feels threatened over the Philadelphia 76ers star.

The NBA offseason has been filled with Jahlil Okafor trade talks as the Philadelphia 76ers openly discussed the need to move at least one of its three centers including Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid. Since then, fans and analysts alike have been busy figuring out who among the three will be sent packing to a different basketball team. Among them, it looks like a Jahlil Okafor trade is the most likely and the Atlanta Hawks might have just won the campaign.

Dwight Howard, who had been phenomenal in his stints in Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, is expected to lead the charge towards a championship run in the Atlanta Hawks. However, rumors are rife that the Kyle Korver team is not fully confident with the big man. Speculations point to a Jahlil Okafor trade as the NBA squad attempts to build a roster around a younger and more promising star.

Along with the Jahlil Okafor trade rumors are the speculations that Dwight Howard is blocking the deal. Some claim that the former Houston Rockets star feels insulted and threatened over the move of the Atlanta Hawks which signify their lack of confidence in his skills. Will the team succumb to the pressure from the veteran?

The answer remains uncertain. At this point, a Jahlil Okafor trade has yet to be officially confirmed. While the Philadelphia 76ers had been open with their desire to participate in an NBA trade involving one of their centers, they have yet to acknowledge who among Joel Embiid, Nerlen Noel and Jahlil Okafor will be sent somewhere else.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks appear to be gearing for a more promising NBA season as Dwight Howard is expected to mentor young stars Kyle Korver and Dennis Schroder. Despite the possibility being merely an NBA trade rumor, fans of the former Al Horford squad hope that a Jahlil Okafor trade will soon become a reality.

What do you think? Should the Atlanta Hawks trade from Jahlil Okafor? Or is Dwight Howard enough for them now?