Pacers Took In Some Jahlil Okafor Workouts Before Signing Him

The Pacers watched some basketball workouts from forward/center Jahlil Okafor before deciding to sign him, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Okafor is signing a deal for training camp with a shot to make the standard roster. He could end up filling the No. 3 center spot behind Myles Turner and Isaiah Jackson, though Indiana also recently acquired James Wiseman. So Okafor, a G League veteran, could be headed to the Indiana Mad Ants.

Interestingly, Okafor is a former No. 3 overall pick (2015, 76ers), and Wiseman a former No. 2 overall pick (2020, No. 2).

Okafor, 28, last appeared in the NBA when he played 27 games for the Pistons during the 2020-21 season. He was selected by the 76ers in 2015 and spent the first two-plus years of his career there, before being traded to the Nets in December 2017. Part of the return included the pick that the Nets eventually used to draft current center Nic Claxton. 

He then signed with the Pelicans following the 2017-18 season, spent a couple of years with New Orleans, and signed with the Pistons in 2020.

Detroit traded him back to Brooklyn in September 2021, with the Nets waiving him several days later.

Okafor signed with the Hawks shortly thereafter but was waived before the 2021-22 season began. He then spent a year playing professionally in China and then with the Mexico City Capitanes of the G League last season.

He has never appeared in more than 59 games in an NBA season.

The Pacers are coming off a somewhat surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals, one year after not making the playoffs.