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Jahlil Okafor Player Preview: A lethal force near the basket, but defense still holding him back

Jahlil Okafor is far from a perfect player, but he’s the perfect kind of player for the rebuilding Detroit Pistons. Unlike the higher-priced, more-maligned signing of Mason Plumlee, the signing of Okafor as a backup big man made perfect sense. Five years in the league but still 24 years old? Check. Disappointing lottery pick that has never been able to put it all together? Check. Position of need? Check. Veteran minimum salary? Check.

So why am I not more excited? Well, some of that is still the residual disappointment of losing Christian Wood in free agency.