Sixers

Jahlil Okafor Found a New Team

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Aug 8th, 2018 · 10:35 AM EDT

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It’s not in Europe or China.

It’s right here in America.

Jah is gonna get another shot in the NBA with the New Orleans Pelicans, according to Woj:

Source: Partial guarantee on this season, and a team option for 2019-20. https://t.co/uqHXwW06Rb

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 8, 2018

Good for him, yeah? I never understood the distaste for Okafor. No, he didn’t turn out to be the player Sixers fans had hoped for, but I don’t know why some people were actively rooting for him to fail.

Jah was the 3rd pick in the 2015 draft and had a solid rookie season in Philly, putting up 17.5 points and 7 rebounds per game. His numbers dipped and he was phased out of the lineup entirely with the emergence of Joel Embiid and the deterioration of his defense, which never really existed in the first place, if we’re being honest.

He was traded, along with Nik Stauskas and a 2nd round pick, to the Nets last season for Trevor Booker, who was later waived to make room for Ersan Ilyasova. Okafor made 26 appearances off the Brooklyn bench and became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

The Pelicans feature all-star Anthony Davis at center and signed PF/C Julius Randle after DeMarcus Cousins joined the Warriors. Alexis Ajinca, Cheick Diallo, and Emeka Okafor also featured in the front court last season:

New Orleans is one of a few teams that still have open roster spots available. The Pelicans have 12 guaranteed contracts with veteran Emeka Okafor on a non-guaranteed salary and wing DeAndre Liggins on a partial. Good opportunity for Jahlil Okafor to make the roster.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 8, 2018