Former 76ers Star Jahlil Okafor Traded In G League Deal

The Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns G League affiliates made a trade.

Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and center Joel Embiid (21) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jahlil Okafor most recently played in the G League during the 2022-23 season (he spent last year overseas).

That season in the G League, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest while shooting 70.3% from the field in 16 games (12 starts) for the Mexico City Capitanes.

On Thursday, the Valley Suns traded Okafor's rights to the Indiana Mad Ants (G League affiliate of the Pacers).

Via The Valley Suns: "We've received the returning player rights to guard David Stockton from the Indiana Mad Ants in exchange for the returning player rights to Jahlil Okafor and Garrison Brooks."

We've received the returning player rights to guard David Stockton from the Indiana Mad Ants in exchange for the returning player rights to Jahlil Okafor and Garrison Brooks. pic.twitter.com/OldDKnJUJN

— Valley Suns (@GLeagueSuns) September 26, 2024

It's unclear if Okafor will play for the Mad Ants or overseas.

G League trade: The Valley Suns sent Jahlil Okafor to the Indiana Mad Ants for David Stockton. pic.twitter.com/98lnYavJWJ

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) September 26, 2024

At 28, Okafor is still in the prime of his career, so it will be interesting to see how he goes about his future.

The 2015 NCAA Champion was the third pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.

He had been seen as a player with All-Star potential.

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jahlil Okafor (Duke) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number three overall pick to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Okafor played six seasons in the NBA for the New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets (in addition to the 76ers).

During his rookie year, he averaged 17.5 points 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per contest while shooting 50.8% from the field in 53 games (48 starts).

The Philadelphia 76ers select former Duke big man Jahlil Okafor with the No. 3 pick in the draft! pic.twitter.com/n7FQHhXtNk

— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) June 25, 2015

As for the Pacers, they are coming off a season where they were the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 47-35 record.

They reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2014.