Before you assume that it’s a slow news day, understand that most players don’t receive interest months in advance. It’s just as rare f0r more than 10 NBA organizations to pursue the same non-star.
31-year-old center Emeka Okafor is defying the odds by receiving a unique brand of interest.
The 31-year-old is searching for a new home after spending 2013-14 with the Phoenix Suns—sort of. He missed every single game of 2013-14 due to injury and could miss significant time in 2014-15.
For as solid as he is, Okafor just isn’t the headline-stealing player to whom articles are dedicated. He’s more of a role player than a star, specializing on defense and the boards.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, public perception is meaningless to front offices. Okafor has nearly half the association lining up to inquire about his services.
Roughly half of the league, I’m told, has registered interest this summer in Okafor, despite the fact that the 31-year-old free agent lost the entire 2013-14 season while recovering from a serious neck ailment.
The list of pursuers for the defensive-minded center, according to NBA front office sources, includes LeBron James‘ Cleveland Cavaliers as well as LeBron’s old friends in Miami.
But I’m likewise told that Okafor is unlikely to sign anywhere until midseason as he continues to recover from his herniated disk.
Said one source: “He’ll be in high demand when he’s back.”
It could be months before he’s signed, which makes this a very interesting case.
Per Stein, teams appear to be willing and ready to make an offer for Okafor right now. In what’s an undeniable financial risk, Okafor has opted to fully recover before applying any additional pressure to recover by joining a title hunt.
Once he is signed,t Okafor could become a vital asset. He’s not necessarily dominant, but he can make a difference with his defense in a similar way to how Chris Andersen helped the Miami Heat in 2012-13.
The college basketball legend—go ahead, look at his resume and tell me he isn’t one—has carved out a strong and reliable career. In nine seasons played, Okafor has posted averages of 12.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 31.7 minutes.
He’s also maintained a field goal percentage above 50.0 in six of his past seven seasons.
This may be long and forgotten, but the Washington Wizards’ turnaround on defense falls in line with Okafor’s arrival in 2012-13. Marcin Gortat has since taken over and played extremely well, but Okafor proved that he still has the ability to be an anchor.
The question is, can his neck hold up?
Come mid-season, when teams are rounding into form and voids can be seen on the court instead of on paper, Okafor will be a hot name. He’s, at the least, a very strong No. 2 center who can provide influential defense and a very consistent presence on the boards.
Okafor may not have become a star like Dwight Howard, but both of the big-name centers from the 2004 NBA Draft have carved out respectable and, at times, under-appreciated careers.
Okafor’s will continue his career as soon as his neck heals up and one of the nearly 15 potential offers catches his eye.
Around The League
- According to Charley Walters of The Pioneer Press, the immensely popular Joel Przybilla has retired from professional basketball. The 34-year-old played 13 seasons in the league with four teams, most notably spending time with the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers. Per Walters, Przybilla made approximately $45 million over the span of his career.
- In an interview with Basket4US.com, free agent big man Gustavo Ayon claimed to have received a contract offer from China. This would be a continuation in China’s temdemcy to land ex-NBA players, but Ayon’s situation is more complicated than that. The 29-year-old is recovering from shoulder surgery, but he’s also a quality back-up big man. If he does exit the NBA, he’d likely be guaranteed a starting job.