New Orleans Pelicans big man Jahlil Okafor will miss 1-2 weeks due to a right ankle injury, but head coach Alvin Gentry says the setback won't have an effect on Okafor's status with the team.
Okafor signed a two-year contract with the Pelicans in August, but only $50,000 of the two-year deal is guaranteed. Okafor’s contract has a partial guarantee in the first year and a team option for the second year.
Alvin Gentry said Okafor’s injury won’t have an effect on his decision to make the roster.
Sounds like Jah is in good shape to start the season despite missing a week or two due to injury.
— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) October 3, 2018
Okafor lost a ton of weight this offseason and came into camp with a noticeably toned physique after working out diligently in Miami during the summer. The former No. 3 overall pick out of Duke scored eight points on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor versus the Chicago Bulls in the Pelicans' preseason opener before sustaining the ankle sprain.
Okafor’s best statistical season in the NBA came during his rookie year with the Philadelphia 76ers when he posted 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. His rookie season was the most playing time Okafor has received during his career. Opponents had an offensive rating of 111.4 when Okafor was on the floor for the Sixers. That number dropped to 108.9 when Okafor went to the bench. Defense has never been Okafor's strength, but apparently he has been showing more effort on that end of the floor in training camp with the Pelicans.
Okafor was traded to the Brooklyn Nets last season after falling out of favor in Philadelphia. The Chicago native appeared in 26 games with the Nets, and he averaged 6.4 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 56.6 percent from the field in 13 minutes a game.
The Pelicans lost DeMarcus Cousins in free agency, so they were in need of some frontcourt depth. Along with Okafor, New Orleans also signed Julius Randle.
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