2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far

Jahlil Okafor: 2 years, ??? (New Orleans Pelicans)

This might seem like a harsh grade for taking a flier on a former No. 3 overall pick, especially since the deal is virtually risk-free as a non-guaranteed contract with a team option for the second year. However, there’s no such thing as a “no-risk move,” and does anyone really anticipate Jahlil Okafor reviving his NBA career in a crowded New Orleans Pelicans frontcourt?

The Pellies may have lost DeMarcus Cousins last year, but they discovered the true power of Anthony Davis by unleashing him at the 5 and flanking him with stretch-4 Nikola Mirotic. That, along with the arrival of a small-ball 5 perfect for their up-tempo system like Julius Randle, leaves little room for Okafor to finally enjoy his NBA breakthrough.

Perhaps he’ll get his opportunity to prove himself — and his reportedly reformed jumper — on a playoff-caliber team, but more than likely, his old school skill-set and complete lack of defense will remain obstacles to meaningful minutes, and this flier will amount to a failed one-year experiment. It’s not a bad gamble to take, but it’s not a winning one either.

Bourguet Grade: C+
Hoops Habit Grade: B