The Indiana Pacers have reportedly completed their 2024 training camp roster by agreeing to terms with Jahlil Okafor, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
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.
Pacers officials watched Okafor in workouts this offseason and came away impressed by his health and conditioning.
Okafor was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 3 overall pick in 2015 out of Duke. He had a fantastic rookie season and earned first-team all-rookie honors. He averaged 11.8 points in his second year with the 76ers but wasn’t able to stick with a team thereafter due to his lack of conditioning and defense.
Okafor has been out of the NBA since 2020-21. He was dominant in the G-League in his 15-game stint with Mexico City in 2022-23 and had a fantastic international campaign this past season.
Okafor scored 14.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 21.7 minutes over 85 games between three teams in China, Puerto Rico, and Spain’s top leagues. He also compiled 12 double-doubles with 64.4/41.2/65.4 shooting splits.
Okafor was selected by Phoenix G-League affiliate Valley Suns in the league’s June expansion draft. On Friday, the Indiana Mad Ants acquired Okafor’s and Garrison Brooks‘ rights in exchange for David Stockton.
Therefore, Okafor’s deal is likely an Exhibit 10 training camp deal. Okafor will be the Pacers’ 21st player on their camp roster when the signing is complete. He is expected to compete for a roster spot, as the Pacers have just 12 players on fully guaranteed deals.
Looking At the Pacers Training Camp Roster
Indiana will open camp on October 1 in the Hoosier state. The Pacers won’t practice in Gaimbridge Center but in downtown Indianapolis at the St. Vincent Center, which they have used since it was unveiled in 2017.
Indiana is coming off its best season under Rick Carlisle and will look to improve its record for a third straight year. The Pacers went 47-35 last season and reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2013-14. He now has a career 288-286 record with the Pacers (two stints), leading them to the playoffs four times.
The Pacers didn’t do much this offseason. They made three second-round selections, though Johnny Furphy is the only one to sign a standard contract. They acquired Furphy from San Antonio for Juan Nunez and cash.
Indiana signed James Wiseman to a two-year deal while re-signing Obi Toppin, Pascal Siakam, and James Johnson. The Pacers also extended Andrew Nembhard and TJ McConnell.
Indiana is over the luxury tax threshold even with just 12 players on fully guaranteed deals. The Pacers are $2.3 million below the first tax line. Wiseman ($500,000), Johnson ($750,000), and Kendall Brown ($0) are the players on standard contracts with a partial or no guarantee.
According to Nat Newell of The Indy Star, Okafor will likely compete with Wiseman and Johnson for the third center spot. Myles Turner is the starter, with Isaiah Jackson being the primary backup. All three players, along with Jackson, are capable of playing the four, so the Pacers have some flexibility.
Cole Swider and Josiah James-Jordan are also on a training camp deal. Swider has 24 games of NBA experience, while James-Jordan went undrafted this year after spending five seasons at Tennessee.
The Last Word
It should be a fascinating battle between Wiseman and Okafor. Both are incredibly talented offensive players who have yet to figure things out, particularly on the defensive end. I would love to see both players make the opening night roster, though that is highly unlikely.
Both Wiseman and Okafor have more to offer the Pacers at this point in their respective careers. But the Pacers know they can trust Johnson in any role and when called upon.
James-Jordan doesn’t appear to have a legitimate shot at a roster spot and is destined for the Mad Ants. Perhaps Swider can steal a spot, likely from Brown, if he can constantly knock down 3-pointers. Brown hasn’t done anything in his 21 NBA appearances over two seasons, but he is still just 21.
