Trevor Booker was taking his customary pregame nap in Mexico City when he got the phone call Thursday. His Brooklyn Nets were set to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder later that night.
He was to report immediately to the lobby of his hotel. He had been traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
“It definitely came as a surprise to me,” Booker said in a Friday morning interview with The Tribune. “It’s been a long 12 hours. I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep.”
Booker, a former Utah Jazz power forward, was swapped for Jahlil Okafor and Nik Stauskas in a deal that will put him in position to be on a team likely to make the playoffs for the first time since he was with the Washington Wizards.
The veteran still is very athletic and a little more skilled than he used to be. He’s capable of helping a young core get to the postseason, and that’s exactly what Philadelphia is hoping for with Booker. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are two of the best young players in the league, and the Sixers have surrounded them with older players who have been there and done that.
“They want me to come in and help out on and off the court,” Booker said. “It’s definitely an exciting opportunity. Philadelphia’s a great team and a great city. I’m happy to be here.”
Booker expected to take his physical Friday morning, which will officially finish the trade. He told The Tribune that he plans to travel with the team and make his debut Saturday in Cleveland. He said he’s a little tired after flying to Philadelphia from Mexico City.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” he said.
