The Nets have waived veteran center Jahlil Okafor, the team announced today in a press release. Brooklyn acquired Okafor from the Pistons last week along with Sekou Doumbouya in the DeAndre Jordan trade.
A former third overall pick, Okafor spent last season in Detroit, averaging 5.4 PPG and 2.4 RPG in a very limited role (12.9 MPG) across 27 games. The big man has also spent time with the Sixers, Nets, and Pelicans since entering the NBA out of Duke in 2015.
Okafor’s release had been expected, since the Nets were carrying more than 15 players on guaranteed contracts and were overloaded in the frontcourt, having recently added LaMarcus Aldridge and agreed to terms with Paul Millsap.
Once they officially sign Millsap, the Nets will have 15 players on guaranteed contracts, plus DeAndre’ Bembry on a partially guaranteed deal. If the club wants to keep Bembry on its regular season roster, at least one more player will have to be traded or waived before opening night.
Okafor, meanwhile, could be claimed off waivers by any team using the minimum salary exception, but that’s unlikely, since his $2.13MM salary for 2021/22 is fully guaranteed. If he goes unclaimed, he’ll clear waivers and become an unrestricted free agent on Saturday, and the Nets will be on the hook for his salary.
Far too young to play for the Lakers, maybe Golden State?
Like clockwork.
How is he a fit for the Warriors?
Unreal lols, at 25 yrs old. No one wants him. I’d be tearing it up if I had his size. Always thought he could be another Zach Randolph. A 20 n 10 low post player. Just don’t get it with these bigs today. Carey Jr in Charlotte is another one who could be a Randolph type. Yet he gets no mins. With outside shooting today. You’d think the inside outside game would flourish. Really baffles me. There’s gotta be someone to wake Okafor up before it’s too late. Maybe Bron can do it. Lakers could use some youth.
Lol “I’d be tearing it up if I had his size” is the most I came off the bench in high school thing I’ve ever read
I coulda been a contenda
Coach woulda put me in, we’d a won state in ‘82.
I never came off the bench in my Life. And blew my ankle up at 17. From 10 till was captain of every team I played for. So stick to your crowd. Even on one leg I played with guys who went pro and college. A few. Some of us here really know this game. You should give some respect first sometimes.
in his case its the players fault, in lauri’s case is the bulls fault. Knickerbockerian logic
Do you see any blame in my post. If any you had any kind ot talent. Reading, playing, understanding talent, understanding this game. A game you want to critique. You’d understand based on talent and skill. Okafor could and should of come close to what Zach was. You must not know who he is LOL. Even a 12 n 10 guy with post scoring. Can help any team. All of of you are beyond amateur. Why is it you’d rather battle than argue the facts I’ve listed. Got nothing to do with me. Even If I couldn’t play, I’d still have more desire to be better than half these players and definitely you geniuses. Difference between us is I love this gm today. As much as I loved it when I first bounced a ball at 6. Get some game.
Fact you compare these two shows how much you don’t know. Must you lie to try me. I own you like cattle. It’s a slaughter any time I want it. So get ready
Al maybe cut down on the caffeine a little.
Did you really just play the “I played HS ball so I know what I am talking about card”? Let me light the camp fire so you can regale us with your acumen.
Okafor is a good guy, but he is limited in his role offensively and even more defensively he is lost, with little understanding of schemes or rotations. Not sure he has the desire, understanding or ability to not be a detriment in a rotational role for a quality team. Not trying to bash him, but he is what he is. A guy hoping for a late bench role on a mediocre team.
He looked good in the Olympics
The league is still in small ball mode. Given the last couple year, I don’t understand that. If I’m lakers, I grab him anyway. He can play PF as well.
Bron made Thompson a better 4. And he has no offense. Okafor can play on post. I sure give him a shot.
Good point. He averaged 17 a few years ago. I think on a team not doing small ball, he contributes.
Someone is going to want him. Nets cut him because they had no room on the roster.
I agree. I don’t understand why he’s being past around. He was mentally fried when the lakers picked ball. It was on his face.
Sometimes it takes a few years of hard knocks & it clicks. Okafor needs a team that find what he does best and let him play.
Nets or Lakers?
Not old enough for the Lakers and…the nets were the team that waived him?
I thought they’d bring him to camp at least to stir some interest in him for a pick or a stash. He’s only 25 but his experience makes him ineligible for a 2-way.
He’ll hang around another season in the league. If he can’t make it to a playoff team by the end of the year its off overseas for him
Guy came in the League 5 years ago and seemed like he might be Embiid’s replacement and actually had a pretty good rookie year.
With some guys it’s just lack of effort that make them busts but I feel like with Okafor the league just shifted pretty radically and he failed to completely reimagine his game. He’s a bust but I might put an asterisk next to it.
Because 15-20 years ago he probably has a long career and makes an AS game or two. Hell even 10 years ago he probably has a solid 6-8 year run as a starter at least.
He came in at a time when the league was revolutionizing towards small ball lineups. I wonder what he could’ve done in a 90s Era league. One of the last remaining 90s type players. Is this a wrap for Jahlil??
The league is still in small ball mode. Given the last couple year, I don’t understand that. If I’m lakers, I grab him anyway. He can play PF as well. 1
Duke players are generally over rated. Some have unspectacular careers. A couple are stars. Most are less than advertised role players.
Just looked up names of Duke players who are now playing in the NBA. Jason Tatum, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Kyrie Irving, Gary Trent, Jr. etc, etc. I’d draft any player from Duke & take my chances. Duke gets the best talent. About 25 in the NBA now. Sure, some don’t make it big, that’s true, but …
Bulls please sign him for the bench.
Yup. He went to high school within view of the United Center. Give him a shot, he has some bulk.
We already have 3 center but i think he can play at 4.we only have 1 scoring bench player,the other are defensive player.yes..bulls need him
I’d like to see OKC take a gamble on him
Okafor is too slow, that’s a fact…..
He is too slow, but he can score down low and board, he will stick around another few years.
Bulls need to grab him, he can play 4/5 with not terrible shooting, solid rotation piece to sure up the bench. I’d grab him off the waiver, it’s a minumum salary who cares if it’s guaranteed, don’t give the Lakers the opportunity to pick him up.
yeh I think he could do some damage around the basket, and they are weak there after Vooch