The Pacers have signed veteran massive man Jahlil Okafor to an Exhibit 10 contract and subsequently waived him, in keeping with a staff press launch. The staff has additionally waived Kendall Brown.
Indiana’s intention to signal Okafor was reported final month, so it was considerably stunning it didn’t occur till later in coaching camp.
Okafor, 28, was the third decide of the 2015 draft and started his profession in Philadelphia, however by no means fairly lived as much as his draft standing.
Okafor has been out of the NBA because the 2020-21 season, when he appeared in 27 video games with Detroit. He was traded to Brooklyn that summer time and later signed with Atlanta, however wasn’t in a position to win a roster spot with both staff.
Okafor resumed his basketball profession abroad, enjoying in China and Spain earlier than signing with a Puerto Rican staff in February. He additionally frolicked within the G League and was among the many gamers chosen by Phoenix’s new affiliate on the growth draft in June. The Pacers’ affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants, not too long ago acquired Okafor’s rights in a G League commerce.
Okafor might be eligible for a bonus as much as $77.5K if he joins the Mad Ants and stays with them for a minimum of 60 days.
Brown had his two-way contract with the staff final season transformed right into a three-year commonplace contract in March. Nonetheless, the final two seasons of the deal had been non-guaranteed.
He would have acquired $250K if he had made the opening-night roster. The choice on Brown improves the possibilities of Cole Swider securing the fifteenth spot on the roster.
By waiving Brown and his $2.1M wage, the Pacers are actually $2.5M under the posh tax with an open roster spot, ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets.
