DEAL FOR JAHLIL AS NETS GET OKAFOR

JAHLIL OKAFOR will attempt to resurrect his career in the same town where Kristaps Porzingis, the player drafted immediately after Okafor was selected third overall by Philadelphia in 2015, has thrived.

The Brooklyn Nets on Thursday acquired Okafor and guard Nik Stauskas from the 76ers in exchange for forward Trevor Booker. ESPN reported that Brooklyn will also receive a 2019 second-round pick that originally belonged to the Knicks.

In the last six months the Nets have traded for point guard D’Angelo Russell and Okafor, the second and third picks of the 2015 draft.

Karl Anthony Towns, who was the top overall pick in 2015, and Porzingis, selected fourth, have both lived up to their lofty draft status while Russell and Okafor have struggled to find their niche.

Russell is currently sidelined following knee surgery. Okafor is healthy but fell out of favor with the Sixers, who are building around Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

Okafor, who can play both center and power forward, made the first-team AllNBA Rookie team. He battled injuries last year and has appeared in just two games this season after Philadelphia declined to pick up the option of his contract.

Since being banished to the bench, Okafor and his representatives tried to negotiate a buyout. But the Sixers balked, convinced they could get something in return for a former lottery pick. In the end, Philadelphia could only land Booker, an experienced forward who can provide scoring off the bench.

“We are excited about the prospects of both Jahlil and Nik, as well as adding another future asset which will aid us in our continued roster development,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement. “This trade provides us with a good opportunity to bring in two young players who were high picks in recent drafts and give them a chance to succeed in our system.”

Booker averaged 10.1 points and 6.6 rebounds in 18 games. Stauskas is averaging less than 1 point per game. He has played in only six of Philadelphia’s 23 games this season.

Though Okafor was not available to play in Mexico City Thursday night, the Nets stunned former Knick Carmelo Anthony and the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 100-95 victory.

Caris LeVert led the way for Brooklyn with 21 points, 10 assists and five rebounds off the bench while playing suffocating defense down the stretch on Thunder star Russell Westbrook, who nevertheless put up a game high 31 points.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson chipped in 17 and Allen Crabbe had 15.