All signs point to free agent Emeka Okafor not signing with a team until midseason. The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat reportedly are the two frontrunners for the big man, and both are expected to pursue him to fill their needs for a rim protector.
Okafor is quietly emerging as one of the hottest free agents left on the market. Teams are seeking the defensive-minded center for his ability to protect the paint and the rim, although all signs point toward Okafor not signing with a team until later in the season.
Earlier reports indicated Okafor, who missed all of last season with a neck injury, was unlikely to be physically fit to play until midseason. A new report from Cray Allred of Hoops Rumors confirmed Okafor would likely begin the season as a free agent but cited another reason for doing so: more options.
"Okafor could end up with more options if he waits until midseason to look for a deal," Allred wrote Saturday. "In-season pickups earn prorated salaries, meaning a team without room to squeeze the big man under the tax line now could conceivably do so later in the season, when a minimum contract's payout would shrink. As always, opportunities could open up for Okafor if any teams lose a frontcourt piece to injury. Teams currently unable to offer Okafor more than the minimum could gain that flexibility if granted a disabled player exception after a season-ending injury to one of their players."
Allred also reported it was uncertain whether Okafor has been cleared for full basketball activities.
Cleveland's No. 1 need is somebody who can provide a presence in the paint, namely with defense and shot blocking. Denver Nuggets centers Timofey Mozgov and JaVale McGee are also purported targets of the Cavaliers, although Denver is unlikely to trade Mozgov and would likely ask too much for McGee.
