With the start of the regular season just two weeks away, the New Orleans Pelicans will have a tough decision to make regarding Jahlil Okafor.
As Jahlil Okafor sat on the court during the fourth quarter grabbing on his right ankle, one could could only think if he had grabbed and subsequently lost out on a roster spot with the New Orleans Pelicans. His latest prognosis is that he will miss the next 1-2 weeks recovering from his ankle sprain. His fight back to NBA relevance just got a bit tougher.
Nothing has been easy for Jahlil. When he was just nine years old, his mother passed away from a collapsed lung after contracting bronchitis. Okafor then moved to Chicago to be with his Father. It was here Okafor’s love of basketball grew. It was also here where Okafor grew, measuring 6’5 in only the seventh grade.
With his height sprouting and skill level expanding, Okafor begin to dominate the high school scene in Chicago. From being named Illinois Mr. Basketball, to winning the National Player of the Year award, and being selected as Sports Illustrated’s “Future Game Changers, there was no doubt college coaches were clamoring to get their hands on the skilled big man.
Okafor decided to play his college ball for Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devils. It was here that Okafor lived up to the billing by leading Duke to a National Championship in his freshman year. Feeling there was nothing further to prove, Okafor declared for the NBA. He was selected third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2015 draft.
Things did not go according to plan. Injuries, altercations, and less than stellar play saw his time in Philly short lived. The 76ers did not pick up their team option on him and after just three seasons, Okafor was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Unfortunately for him, more of the same ensued.
Lack of playing time and production saw the Nets not re-signing Okafor leaving him an unrestricted free agent this past summer. After a workout with the Pelicans, he was signed to a partially guaranteed two-year deal with a club option on the second year. This low risk-potentially high reward deal meant Okafor needed to show and prove he is still a viable big man in the NBA.
Just $50k of Jahlil Okafor's 2-yr is guaranteed - second year is a team option (if taken, $54,323 guaranteed in yr two) @BBallInsiders w/Pelicans
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 12, 2018
If his Instagram account is any indication, then show and prove he did. From his rigorous weight loss program to his pickup basketball videos, Okafor was determined to show he belonged. And with Anthony Davis’ mentor-ship, Okafor could maybe get his career back on track.
I think Okafor’s injury is a minor setback moving forward. I believe he will make the final roster and be able to contribute to the team in certain spots. His size and offensive potential could be exciting coming off the bench. Okafor will need to commit to playing defense and running the floor in Gentry’s high paced offense.
However, no one currently can provide the potential offensive punch Okafor could coming off the bench. In certain situations getting baskets while the starters rest would be key in preserving Davis and some of the other bigs down the stretch. If nothing else, Okafor is a big body who could spell Davis the constant pounding against bigger centers in the league.
What do you think? Think Okafor is a lock to make the team? What will his role be moving forward? Sound off in the comment section below.