February 11: Okafor has officially signed his 10-day contract with the Pacers, per NBA.com’s transaction log. The deal will run through February 20, covering Indiana’s next three games and paying Okafor a $150,179 salary.
February 10: Veteran big man Jahlil Okafor is signing a 10-day contract with the Pacers, NBA insider Chris Haynes tweets.
The No. 3 pick of the 2015 draft hasn’t played in the league since the 2020/21 season, when he appeared in 27 games with the Pistons. Okafor has played 247 regular season games in his career, with stints in Philadelphia, Brooklyn and New Orleans as well as Detroit. He has posted career averages of 10.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game.
Okafor, 29, had been toiling for the Pacers’ NBA G League team, the Indiana Mad Ants, averaging 18.6 points and 9.1 rebounds in 30 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games. He was selected to participate in the 2025 Up Next event at the NBA’s All-Star weekend.
Okafor was on the Pacers’ training camp roster on an Exhibit 10 contract but was waived before joining their G League squad. The veteran center has also played in China, Spain and Puerto Rico in recent years.
The timing of this move calls into question whether center Alex Len still intends to sign with Indiana after clearing waivers, as has been reported. Len was expected to fill Indiana’s open roster spot. It’s unclear if he has received another offer or will perhaps sign with the Pacers after the All-Star break once Okafor’s deal expires. The club has just two more games prior to the break.
[UPDATE: Len won’t be signing with the Pacers.]
That’s awesome. Hard work paying off.
Len going to Lakers?
This is a 10 day. Len is still showing up.
Why would they sign Okafor at all then?
They could have signed him for 10 days to buy time. Lakers seems like a better opportunity since that Hornets trade rescinded.
Oops
Awesome! Jahlil has been putting in the work for years! He remains one of the best low post scorer’s that ever existed. I think he went full vegan or vegetarian to try and change his body. When they got rid of the true center, they got rid of Jah. He did nothing wrong. Embiid happened and Jahlil was a bit of a young knucklehead his first year or two in the league. If he could have gone #2 to the Lakers (D’Angelo Russell), instead of #3 to Philly. He might have had a chance. He would have been a walking bucket and fan favorite on those bad Laker teams. He could have at least survived until contract #2.
One of the best post scorer’s that ever existed. Since Eddy Curry.
Okafor had a 54 TS% in 3 years with PHI. Come now.
Can’t stop Jahlil down low.
Excellent
YES
Happy for Jahlil and hoping he can get a standard contract again, maybe with the Pacers, even with Len on the roster.
Since posting this, news is that Len is not signing with the Pacers after all, so Jahlil was the real target. Good for Jah, maybe he will get that standard contract now. We’ll see if Len goes to the Lakers as currently rumored.
Best thing to happen the past two months in the NBA. Forget all those stupid trades.
…… The Atlanta Cleveland trade was the only decent trade and no hand in the cookie jar antics
I want to see Okafor succeed! I think he is immensely talented offensively but sadly his playstyle fell out of fashion and his lack of defense made him a problem to keep on the floor.
He has gotten much better while grinding overseas and in the G League. He still is inconsistent with shooting and pretty landlocked which hurts his rim defense, but he is very strong and has a high basketball IQ. I am sure he will not disappoint.
29 yrs old. ……. It ain’t over till its over !!!!
Whish him the best.