Pacers Sign Jahlil Okafor to 10-Day Contract Amid Injury Concerns

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 11, 2025 – The Indiana Pacers have signed center Jahlil Okafor to a 10-day contract to bolster their roster as they face injury challenges in the frontcourt. This deal comes just days after the Pacers sought additional depth, following the injury of starting center Myles Turner.

Okafor, 29, last played in an NBA regular-season game in May 2021 with the Detroit Pistons. He has since spent time in the G League and overseas, and recently played with the Indiana Mad Ants, where he averaged 18.6 points and 9.1 rebounds this season.

“I just wanted to put myself in position to get back to the NBA,” Okafor said about his decision to play in the G League. “This is one of the best routes back to the NBA.”

The former No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Okafor has competed in 247 regular-season games and has experience with the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Detroit Pistons. He earned significant recognition during his rookie season, finishing fifth in the Rookie of the Year voting.

Despite his history of injuries and time away from the court, Okafor is adapting to the evolving style of the NBA. During his tenure with the Mad Ants, he has been working on his perimeter shooting and increasing his mobility, areas where he has struggled in the past. He noted, “The game changed, and I’ve tried to maintain what I do well and venture off of that.”

Okafor has taken about one three-point shot per game this G League season, although he is only hitting 27.6% of those attempts. However, he has shown improvement in other areas, such as an average of over three assists per game. His post-game skills remain sharp, making him a critical asset to any team.

“He’s so impressive on the post and has that old-school game,” said an insider about Okafor. “He makes the right reads and has a great voice, which helps younger players.”

The Pacers are in urgent need of interior depth as Turner deals with a neck injury, leaving Thomas Bryant as the team’s primary backup. The 10-day contract provides the Pacers with essential roster flexibility and an opportunity to re-sign Okafor later or explore other options.

The duration of a 10-day contract typically lasts until a team’s next three games or a specific 10-day period, depending on the schedule. Indiana is set to play two games before the All-Star break, and Okafor’s contract will cover these games and potentially extend into the following week.

With the signing of Okafor, the Pacers aim to withstand their injury setbacks while providing him a chance to prove himself again in the NBA. “I think his progression has been unbelievable,” said Pacers guard T.J. McConnell, reflecting on Okafor’s adaptation to the modern game. “For him to see the need for pick-and-pop bigs and adjust his game is commendable.”