With an arsenal of talented youngsters and enticing draft picks, the Boston Celtics were expected to be one of the NBA's busier franchises during last Thursday's trade deadline day.
Instead, the high-flying Eastern Conference team ultimately elected not to make any moves after GM Danny Ainge failed to find a deal that he deemed acceptable.
According to a report from the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett, however, the Celtics did come close to one exciting trade.
Referencing comments made by Ainge late last week suggesting a major deal almost occurred, Bulpett revealed the player Boston were trying to bring to the TD Garden.
Per his report:
"A league source has indicated the late target Ainge has referred to in radio interviews was Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor."
At this time, there has been no sort of confirmation from the Celtics on this report but it would certainly have been an interesting move on Boston's behalf.
Exciting prospect
The third overall pick of the 2015 draft, Okafor has averaged a healthy 17.1 points and 7.3 rebounds for a struggling Philadelphia team this season.
It is unclear what Boston was willing to give up to acquire the young center but Ainge did reveal their unprotected first round draft pick they own via the Nets was in play.
As we know, however, the deal never materialised and Okafor remains a member of the 76ers roster. Boston, meanwhile, will continue with a front court rotation led by Amir Johnson, Kelly Olynyk and Jared Sullinger.
