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Brooklyn Nets: What should expectations be for Jahlil Okafor?

By Michael Saenz

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 09: Jahil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 9, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 09: Jahil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 9, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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We explore what expectations should be for Jahlil Okafor now that he’s been traded to the Brooklyn Nets

Three years ago, there was a serious discussion about whether Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns should be taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Today, Okafor was just traded from the Philadelphia 76ers (who ended up taking Okafor with the third overall pick in 2015) to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Trevor Booker. Amazing.

After sputtering out of the Sixers’ rotation over the last couple of seasons, it was pretty clear that Okafor was no longer in the future plans of Philadelphia. This season, Okafor had only appeared in two games for the Sixers, and not in one since early November where he played just three minutes against the Utah Jazz.

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Okafor made it clear that he wanted out, either via a buyout or trade. Now his wish has been granted. The question moving forward, however, is what should the Nets expect from the former Duke star.

And that’s not something that will be easy to answer.

During his rookie season, Okafor looked promising. He averaged 18 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes per night. In his second season, he averaged 12 points and five rebounds in 23 minutes per game. This season, he hardly saw the floor. And I don’t think his 25 minutes sample this season is enough to conclude anything.

Was his significant decline in playing time and production due to Philly’s crowded frontcourt, or because there’s simply not a place for Jahlil Okafor’s game in today’s game? Or is it because he simply wasn’t given an opportunity?

Since Okafor was drafted, the NBA has evolved drastically. The game has moved away from the traditional big man – which Okafor’s game was crafted around – and has birthed transcendental bigs such as Kristaps Porzingis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid.

Unfortunately, Okafor’s game doesn’t resemble any of those bigs. At the same time, that also doesn’t mean he should be getting consistent DNP-CD’s.

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Is there a place for Jahlil Okafor in the NBA? If so, we’re about to find out. If nothing else, the one thing that Okafor wasn’t granted over the last season and a half in Philadelphia is an opportunity. He now has that with the Brooklyn Nets.

It’s up to him to reinvent himself in the new NBA.

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