Sixers

Danny Ainge Says Trade Talks With Sixers Over Jahlil Okafor May Continue This Summer

By Kyle Scott

Published: Feb 21st, 2016 · 9:37 AM EST

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We learned yesterday that the Sixers and Celtics had discussed trading Jahlil Okafor for the Nets’ 2016  first round pick, which is owned by the Celtics, but the Sixers apparently backed out, perhaps because Sam Hinkie was threatened with certain death if he did such a thing.

Celtics president Danny Ainge talked about the deal – but didn’t get into specifics, which were reported later – with host Adam Kaufman on 98.5 in Boston on Friday, the full audio of which has now been posted online.

Ainge at first said he was hesitant to say the other team “backed out,” but then he agreed that was a fair way to put it.

“Discussions are continuing, and we’re deliberating on what to offer, and what to counter offer, and what to counter offer offer now,” Ainge, who was surprisingly candid, explained.

“It’s very common what the other team did, which is say, you know what, we decided we’re not even gonna trade him yet– we’re gonna wait,” Ainge said. “Whatever it was that was gonna be offered, even if the offer was increased, I think they just decided to keep their guy and finish the season out the best they could and revisit it later.”

The audio is after the jump– starts around 3:36 mark.