A couple of days after the NBA Trade Deadline, the Indiana Pacers were reportedly set to sign Alex Len after he was waived by the Washington Wizards. However, according to recent reports, this is no longer the case as Len is now expected to join the Los Angeles Lakers after their trade for Mark Williams was rescinded. With Len no longer joining the team, the Pacers have two open roster spots once again. However, the team was quick to pivot as they have already filled up one of those roster spots.
Pacers sign Jahlil Okafor to a 10-day contract
According to Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star, the Pacers have signed big man Jahlil Okafor to a 10-day contract. Okafor, who was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the third pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, signed a training camp deal with the Pacers back in September. While he did not make the roster, he has spent the entire season in the G League with the Indiana Mad Ants. Through 15 games, he is averaging 18.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 66.9% from the field.
The Duke alum last appeared in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons during the 2020-21 season and has not appeared in 50 or more games in a season since 2018-19 as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans.
It is unlikely that Okafor will play a big role with the Pacers at any point this season. However, it is still an intriguing signing nonetheless. Okafor is still just 29 years old and was once a promising prospect. Unfortunately, his NBA career never lived up to the hype, but he is at least getting another shot to have a career in the league.
With this signing, the Pacers have a third center on the depth chart behind Myles Turner and Thomas Bryant. Additionally, they still have just one open roster spot remaining. With Okafor only on a 10-day contract, it would not be a surprise if the Pacers go right back to the buyout market and grab another big man.
Furthermore, the team could convert rookie Enrique Freeman's two-way deal to a standard contract. While technically listed as a power forward, Freeman is capable of playing bigger than he is and played some small-ball center for the Pacers earlier in the year, even starting a game at center against the Toronto Raptors in November.
Regardless, Okafor will be a name to monitor for the Pacers for the short term as he looks to revitalize his NBA career.