Veteran center Jahlil Okafor is making his return to the NBA, signing a 10-day contract with the Indiana Pacers. He was selected as the third overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ears in the 2015 NBA draft.

The 6-foot-10 center-forward last played for the Detroit Pistons, appearing in 27 games that season. That was four years ago, which was a long time since we saw him in action.

Okafor's Strong G League Performance Earns Him an Opportunity

Jahlil Okafor Back in the NBA, Signs 10-Day Deal With Jahlil Okafor Back in the NBA, Signs 10-Day Deal With
Mark Brown/Getty Images

Before earning his NBA call-up, Okafor was showcasing his skills with the Pacers' G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants. In 30 games across the Tip-Off Tournament and regular season, the 29-year-old big man averaged an impressive 18.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, according to Hoops Rumors. His dominance in the developmental league even earned him a selection for the 2025 Up Next event at the NBA All-Star weekend.

Throughout his career, he has had stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Pistons, averaging 10.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game.

The Pacers originally brought Okafor into training camp on an Exhibit 10 contract before waiving him, leading to his G League assignment. Over the past few years, he has also played overseas in China, Spain, and Puerto Rico, continuing to explore his capabilities.

What This Means for Indiana's Roster

With Okafor's 10-day contract officially signed, he is set to earn $150,179 and will be available for Indiana Pacers' next three games leading into the All-Star break.

Meanwhile, ESPN reports that Alex Len has officially signed the deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. He might not be a better Anthony Davis replacement, but he has the firepower to defend the paint. This will give LeBron and Luka more space to score on the floor.

Can Okafor Prove His Worth This Time?

Started as a promising prospect center, Okafor has so many skillsets in his arsenal. His offensive ability to attack the paint was impressive, but defensive limitations got in his way.

His playstyle was quite traditional as a back-to-basket guy and mid-range shots. However, it did not evolve and adapt to the modern meta of outside shooting. If he wants to secure a permanent NBA role, he would need to practice shooting threes.

If he performs well during this stint, the Pacers—or another team—could consider extending his stay. For now, Okafor has a brief but critical window to show that he can still contribute at the highest level.