Report: Okafor's Benching A 'Ploy To Stir Interest'

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Even Brett Brown admitted this is really strange.

After missing the last two games because of trade rumors, Brown tells SportsRadio 94WIP that Sixers center Jahlil Okafor has rejoined the team in Boston and will play vs. the Celtics on Wednesday.

According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, Okafor's benching was a ploy to "stir interest and induce better offers, sources speculate."

Jahlil Okafor was shelved a ploy to stir interest and induce better offers, sources speculate. No one fell for it. https://t.co/lH8tsqr7Be
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 15, 2017

Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype reported that the four teams interested in Okafor are the Pelicans, Bulls, Blazers, and Nuggets.

"The Nuggets and Blazers weren't pursuing Okafor," O'Connor wrote. "The Bulls likely aren't either. No one is buying what Bryan Colangelo is selling: a one-dimensional center who can't defend, rebound, or pass on a roster loaded with big men."

O'Connor joined the 94WIP Midday Show with Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie on Wednesday to discuss his report. He believes the Pelicans are the only team interested in Okafor.

Listen: Kevin O'Connor on the 94WIP Midday Show

"It was worth a try, b/c I don't think any teams are interested." - @KevinOConnorNBA on PHI sitting Okafor. Listen: https://t.co/32HBuJ6Jw4
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) February 15, 2017

"Maybe there's only one team, the #Pelicans, that has any interest [in Okafor]." - @KevinOConnorNBA | Listen: https://t.co/32HBuJ6Jw4
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) February 15, 2017

.@KevinOConnorNBA says he does think Jahlil Okafor is worth a "late first-round pick, for sure." Listen live: https://t.co/32HBuJ6Jw4
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) February 15, 2017

.@KevinOConnorNBA says "having a lack of transparency is OK. I would just feel good about the assets." Listen: https://t.co/r7rjBQQ7zF
— 94WIP Midday Show (@WIPMiddayShow) February 15, 2017