Toronto Raptors: Three free agent big men to consider this offseason

Jahlil Okafor

Before you go directly to the comment section, just hear me out.

Jahlil Okafor was a McDonald’s All-American and the top-ranked high school prospect in his class. Okafor spent one season at Duke where he averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Okafor was named the ACC Player of the Year.

Okafor declared for the NBA Draft after his freshman season. He was selected no. 3 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. Okafor averaged 17.5 points, 7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 30 minutes per game as a rookie, albeit for a terrible Process era 76ers team.

Unfortunately for Okafor, he was drafted into a less than ideal situation. The 76ers acquired Nerlens Noel in a draft-night trade in 2013. They followed that up with selecting Joel Embiid with the third pick in the 2014 draft. Then for some reason, the 76ers decided to take Okafor in 2015. Three centers in three consecutive drafts. Embiid was viewed as the center of the future, which left Noel and Okafor on the outside looking in.

After spending two seasons in Philadelphia, Okafor was traded to the Brooklyn Nets along with Nik Stauskas and a draft pick for Trevor Booker. Okafor played sparingly in 26 games with the Nets.

In the summer of 2018, Okafor became an unrestricted free agent. He signed a two-year, partially guaranteed contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Okafor played 59 games in his first season with the Pelicans but more importantly focused on remaking himself.

Okafor opened up about his battle with depression. He switched to a vegan diet. The plan was that Okafor’s commitment to his physical and mental wellbeing would help him stay on the court and become a more consistent contributor. Okafor also transformed his body.

Okafor’s first season in New Orleans was nothing to write home about. But there was a nine-game stretch between late January and early February in which Okafor averaged 18.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. Okafor also averaged 16.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and one block per game over the final six games of the season.

Playing time has been hard to come by during Okafor’s second year in The Big Easy. The Pelicans acquired Derrick Favors in the offseason. Favors has started almost every game he has played this season.

The Pelicans added Jaxson Hayes through the draft. Plus, Coach Alvin Gentry has played Zion Williamson at center in some small-ball lineups. As such, it has been difficult for Okafor to get any consistent time playing time this season. However, when Okafor was actually got on the floor he has produced.

Okafor’s best game came in a win over the Detroit Pistons on January 13, 2020. Okafor dominated Drummond. He scored 25 points, along with 14 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.

There is no question that Okafor is more of a throwback big man. He would look right at home in the late 90s or early 2000s. Okafor would thrive in a traditional offense that played out of the post. But that is not the way the game is played anymore. Big men are generally asked to protect the paint and rebound. However, that doesn’t always have to be the case.

The Raptors often allow Gasol to initiate the offense from the high post. Gasol is one of the best passing big men of all time. He can survey the floor to find shooters, hit a midrange shot or take his own man down onto the block. Okafor is not the passer that Gasol is, but he could function similarly.

Okafor has become lighter and more mobile. He is capable of putting the ball on the floor. He could create opportunities for others. It would also give the Raptors’ a reliable scoring option off the bench.

Okafor may never live up to his draft position. He isn’t a unicorn capable of playing all five positions. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for him in the modern NBA.

Okafor is only 24 years old, he has great size. Okafor is 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan. The Raptors could sign him at or near the veteran minimum. This franchise has revitalized the careers of many players. Okafor could be the most recent success story.