The NBA season is about to start in a few days. This is usually the time where teams make their last minute cuts to finalize their respective rosters for the 2018-19 campaign. The Sixers are one of those franchises.
The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Saturday their most recent team cuts, and among those released was veteran Emeka Okafor.
The Sixers just waived Emeka Okafor and I am sad
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 13, 2018
The 76ers brought in the 35-year old Okafor to a training camp deal back in September. Okafor could have provided a steady veteran presence on a young 76ers squad, but for now, are opting to stick with Amir Johnson and Mike Muscala to back up superstar big man Joel Embiid.
The Sixers also signed Okafor prior to the beginning of the 2017-18 season. However, he also didn't make the final roster and only suited up for the team's G-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers.
The New Orleans Pelicans, however, surprisingly took a chance on former second overall pick, who took a four year hiatus due to injuries. The team brought him in to fill out the void left when All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins tore his Achilles.
Okafor, in 26 games, provided relief minutes for the Pelicans superstar forward Anthony Davis. For the season, he averaged 4.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game in roughly 14 solid spot minutes per contest.
Despite the cut, the 10-year NBA vet may still find himself on a roster spot this season following his steady performance for the Pelicans last year. Okafor proved that he can still go and provide a defensive presence for a team lacking depth on the interior.
The other two released with Okafor were forward Cory Jefferson and guard Darin Johnson. The recent deductions round out their current count to 17, so two more are expected to be waived.
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