Ex-NBA draft bust lands deal with East contender

Feb 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Wells Fargo Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 98-92 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Former top-three draft pick Jahlil Okafor is getting another shot at finding a home in the NBA.

The Indiana Pacers have signed Okafor to a training camp deal, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Former No. 3 pick Jahlil Okafor has agreed to a training camp deal with the Indiana Pacers, agent Daniel Hazan of Hazan Sports Management told @TheAthletic. Okafor, first team All-Rookie with 76ers, last played in NBA in 2021 and is working toward comeback with the East finalist. pic.twitter.com/NYyUuV5ZaB

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 28, 2024

Standing at 6’11” and weighing around 275 pounds, Okafor could potentially provide insurance as a third-string center.

Indiana has a big man rotation of Myles Turner, Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, and Isaiah Jackson. While the Pacers have length and shot-blocking in their frontcourt, they don’t necessarily have the most size in the interior. The 6’8″ Siakam led the team in rebounding at just 7.8 per contest.

The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Okafor third overall in 2015. The Duke alum was largely productive in his rookie season with averages of 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds on a rebuilding Sixers squad.

But after a promising rookie campaign, Okafor struggled to find his place in the NBA. He was let go by the 76ers just two games into his third season and bounced around the league.

Okafor last played for the Detroit Pistons in the 2020-21 season. The 28-year-old averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds across 27 games played. Since then, Okafor has had stints in China and the Spanish Liga ACB.