Emeka Okafor expects plenty of suitors, midseason return

Free agent center Emeka Okafor is drawing interest from the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and several other teams. The catch is that the near-32-year-old won't be available at the start of the 2014-15 season as he continues to recover from a herniated disk in his neck, reports ESPN's Marc Stein.

The good news for Okafor's camp is that teams will be happy to wait on him. Approximately half of the NBA has inquired about the center, who missed all of last season because of his neck injury, and one of Stein's sources added that the center will be "in high demand."

Miami could take a serious look at Okafor and is still filling out its roster following LeBron James' decision to return to Cleveland. President Pat Riley is also strongly considering Ekpe Udoh, and has inquired about Andray Blatche and Jason Maxiell, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

Okafor could help the Cavaliers fill their biggest hole on their roster. Up front, Anderson Varejao is joined by undrafted rookie Alex Kirk and veteran Brendan Haywood, the latter of whom is arguably more valuable as a tradable salary rather than a viable option in the middle. Haywood is still on the mend from a foot injury suffered early last season.

Okafor last played in 2012-13 for the Wizards but was traded to the Phoenix Suns last summer in the deal that helped Washington acquire big man Marcin Gortat. Okafor never joined the Suns and spent his season in New York while recovering from his injury. The Suns had the ability to use the final year of Okafor's contract, worth $14.5 million, to make a big trade but a such an option never arose.

When Okafor does return, he should be a capable double-double threat if he is close to producing as he did in the past. In 2012-13, he averaged 9.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and a block per game with the Wizards.