Okafor wanted 76ers to decline 4th-year option; hopes for trade or buyout

Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor doesn't appear to harbor resentment over his organization's decision to decline its option for the fourth year of his contract.

"Honestly, I didn't want them to pick up my option," the 2015 No. 3 pick told NBC Sports' Jessica Camerato on Wednesday. "I've been going through a lot since I've been here."

Okafor added that he wants to either reach a buyout agreement with the Sixers or be traded.

Oct. 31 was the deadline for teams to opt into the third or fourth year of standard rookie contracts for former first-round draft picks. Had the Sixers picked up their option for the 2018-19 season, they would have retained Okafor on a relatively cheap contract while maintaining his status as a restricted free agent for summer 2019.

As the situation stands, Okafor will become an unrestricted free agent this summer - though his official departure from the Sixers could obviously come a lot sooner than July.

Okafor made the All-Rookie First Team, but when dynamic big men Joel Embiid and Dario Saric made their debuts last season, Okafor's playing time and impact on offense decreased dramatically.

Since the start of the 2016-17 season, Okafor has averaged just 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game after averaging 17.5 points and seven rebounds per game in Year 1.