According to several official reports, the New Orleans Pelicans have decided to part ways with 35-year-old center Emeka Okafor. The franchise requested waivers for the 6'10” big man on Wednesday morning.
The New Orleans #Pelicans waive center Emeka Okafor.
📰: https://t.co/7tfpP4dalj pic.twitter.com/VRMZBm3VFE
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 19, 2018
Emeka Okafor appeared in 26 games with the Pelicans during their 2017-18 regular season campaign, racking up averages of 4.4 points on 50.5 percent shooting from the field, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 13.6 minutes per outing.
Last season was Okafor's first in the NBA since the 2012-13 campaign when he played with the Washington Wizards. He played the first part of the 2017-18 season with the 76ers' G-League team before joining with the Pelicans.
The move brings the Pelicans' training camp roster to 19 with the yet-to-be announced signing of Jarrett Jack still to come.
Okafor was on a non-guaranteed deal for the 2018-19 season. However, $100,000 of that deal was guaranteed if the Pelicans didn't waive him by July 12.
New Orleans originally signed Okafor in February, shortly after losing DeMarcus Cousins to injury. After seeing Okafor play on a pair of 10-day contracts, New Orleans offered him a two-year deal.
The Pelicans also signed Julius Randle in the wake of Cousins' injury, and it seems the organization feels comfortable with him playing a significant role as a reserve. Cheick Diallo and Jahlil Okafor will also be roaming the paint for New Orleans in the coming season.
Where Okafor will land next remains to be seen. He's certainly a solid defensive player. Perhaps we'll see him sign with another team in the near future.
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