Jahlil

Okafor

The third overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Okafor gets another opportunity to prove himself after spending the last four years out of the NBA. His most recent action has come with the Pacers’ G League affiliate, averaging 18.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. With Myles Turner (neck) banged up and Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) out for the season, Okafor gives Indiana an “emergency” big to have on the roster.

The third overall pick in the 2015 draft, Okafor last played in the NBA during the 2020-21 season, making 27 appearances for the Pistons. He’s played overseas since, most recently for Zaragoza in Spain’s Liga ACB. Given how stacked the Pacers’ roster is, Okafor faces long odds in this stage of his attempted NBA comeback.

The man who Sam Hinkie picked No. 3 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft ahead of guys like Kristaps Porzingis and Devin Booker has now been waived by yet another NBA team, and he may need to go the G League route to find his next contract.

Okafor, who was waived after being traded to the Nets earlier this month, has found a new home. His fantasy prospects in Atlanta, should he lock down a roster spot, aren’t all that good. Clint Capela will once again start, and Gorgui Dieng is expected to fill the backup center role while Onyeka Okongwu recovers from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

Okafor landed in Brooklyn after the DeAndre Jordan deal went down, but the Nets never intended to keep him. Perhaps the guy that Sam Hinkie selected No. 3 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft (ahead of a spectacular list of players) will be able to snag a minimum-level deal elsewhere, but he’s never been much of a factor in fantasy hoops.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the picks included are "[the Nets’] own 2022 and 2027 second-round picks, a 2024 second-rounder via Wizards and a 2025 second via Warriors.” The Pistons also get $5.8 million cash in the deal, but it’s the Nets who save huge with an overall $47 million reduction in their salary and luxury tax bill. Detroit plans to buy out Jordan’s contract and the Lakers are “a serious contender” to sign him, per Woj. Even if he lands in an ideal scenario, though, Jordan’s days of fantasy prominence are long gone.

Okafor was an afterthought in the Pistons’ frontcourt, and that won’t change in Brooklyn. He’s on an expiring $2.1 million contract and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him moved again before long.

CoryJo randomly returns for the regular-season finale, which is not something we were expecting, but he could be worth streaming with Detroit not having many available bodies tonight. Diallo also looks like a solid target.

With Isaiah Stewart (personal reasons) not available to play, Plumlee will likely be back in the starting lineup Sunday. Provided Plumlee plays as expected, he’ll be splitting minutes at the center position with Jahlil Okafor.

Coach Dwane Casey said Okafor’s knee isn’t 100 percent yet so they will likely watch his minutes closely. Tyler Cook will get the backup minutes this evening.