Sixers sign Okafor (no, not that one)

Last season was widely considered a success, so the Sixers figured they would start things off in a similar fashion. Just like last September, Philadelphia has signed veteran big man Emeka Okafor to a training camp, non-guaranteed deal. It’s the first official move for new general manager Elton Brand. Clearly, he only values players who, like him, were drafted in 2004 or earlier. Here’s a look at the full training camp roster:

Even though he was eventually released by the Sixers, the 35-year-old Okafor looked spry enough last fall to catch on with the New Orleans Pelicans. Okafor appeared in 26 games for the Pelicans last season (starting 19), averaging 4.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 block in just 13.6 minutes per game. Ironically, he was released a couple days ago because New Orleans has been so impressed by how offseason free agent signing Jahlil Okafor has looked. The Okafors are like the Immortals in Highlander: there can only be one.

Emeka Okafor is an easy guy to root for on the court. Even though he’s very unlikely to make the Sixers roster, I’m personally hoping he catches on again somewhere. While he’s here in Philadelphia, maybe he’d be gracious enough to once again don his most famous uniform.