Tencent Sports, June 21, according to ESPN reporter Malika Andrews, Pelicans have implemented the team option of Jalil Okafu for the 2019-20 season. Okafu's performance last season left a deep impression on the team management.
Okafu joined Pelican last summer. He signed a two-year contract with the team with a total value of 3.27 million dollars, of which the first year is part of the guarantee, and the second year is the team's option. Obviously, Pelican also took a try attitude when signing this contract. Once Okafu performs badly, they can dismiss him at any time.
However, Okafu's performance in the Pelican far exceeded expectations. In the past season, he played 59 games in total, 24 of which started with an average of 8.2 points and 4.7 rebounds in 15.8 minutes. After Brother Rouge applied for a trade, he encountered the Pelican's snowbank and stopped playing in the second half of the season. Okafu seized this opportunity to make a series of brilliant performances.
In the game against the Spurs and Rockets at the end of January, Okafu successively scored 24 points, 15 rebounds and 27 points, 12 rebounds. In the final game of the season against the Warriors, Okafu again scored the season's highest 30 points. In a single season, he scored 20+six times, becoming an important offensive weapon in the team's interior.
According to Andrews, Pelican management was impressed with Okafu's physical improvement and progress in defense, which also made the team finally choose to implement his team options for the new season.
Jalil Okafu is now 23 years old and 2.11 meters tall. He works as a center. As a flower show in 2015, Okafu has experienced many vicissitudes in his previous career. In the rookie season, Okafu's prospects are very promising. He can get 17.5 points, 7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 30 minutes. However, since Enbid returned from injury in the 2016-17 season, Okafu's position in the 76ers has gradually been marginalized. With Simmons starting his NBA career in the 2017-18 season, the 76ers' front court lineup has become more complete, and the team has completely put Okafu in the cold.
In December 2017, the 76ers and the Nets completed the transaction and sent Okafu to Brooklyn, where Okafu played 26 games and averaged 6.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
As a traditional center, Okafu moves slowly, lacks three-point ability and defends poorly. These technical characteristics do not conform to the positioning of modern basketball for inside players. Therefore, Okafu has not been recognized either in the 76ers or the Nets.
However, after coming to the Pelican, Okafu was eager to change himself. He reshaped his body and tried to improve his defense. Okafu's positive attitude also moved Pelican coach Gentry, and he also got more scenes.
Whether attacking or rebounding, Okafu can help the team. In the new season, he also hopes to further improve and continue to perform inspirational chapters.
(Cat and Bear)