NBA trade rumors 2016: Boston Celtics almost landed Philadelphia 76er Jahlil Okafor [VIDEO]

Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers is a promising player sans the off-court issues which seem to be piling up.

Just the same, he is someone who can help any team, although he is a work-in-progress. He has the skill set that could make him a premier big man in the National Basketball Association (NBA) one day and such probably makes him an interesting player to invest in.

The Boston Celtics may have had that in mind after Danny Ainge revealed via radio recently that a deal for Okafor would have been the big surprise of the recently concluded NBA trade deadline had the Sixers agreed.

The interest comes as a surprise, and there were no rumors linked to it. Okafor would have cemented the middle of the Celtics, although coach Brad Stevens would have to work on the rookie and hope that he keeps his mind to playing pro ball.

Curiously, Okafor was a favorite to be the 2015 NBA Draft top pick. He was edged out by Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves and could have landed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In what seemed like a big surprise, the Lakers opted for a guard in D'Angelo Russell. The Sixers picked him up eventually, a steal of sorts, although his fortunes haven't exactly been bright with the struggling ball club.

In exchange, the Celtics dangled a 2016 first round pick which the Sixers allegedly declined. Even though no reason was mentioned for the botched deal, it would have been a solution for the Sixers who may end up with three talented and young big men if Joel Embiid does finally play next season. The other big man is Nerlens Noel.

Without the off-court issues that Okafor has been tied up with, his talent for the game has been seen. Even though a lot of it has been tied with his frustrations, the thing is Okafor needs to man up and understand the basics of how it is like to be a professional baller.