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NBA: Is Emeka Okafor Worth A Look?

By Vijay Vemu

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 17: Emeka Okafor #50 of the Washington Wizards rests during a break in the game against the Utah Jazz at the Verizon Center on November 17, 2012 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 17: Emeka Okafor #50 of the Washington Wizards rests during a break in the game against the Utah Jazz at the Verizon Center on November 17, 2012 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Emeka Okafor hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2012-13 season, but is attempting a comeback. Should an NBA team take a chance on the former Rookie Of the Year?

The rise of the salary cap this NBA offseason has seemed to invite some veterans to dive back into the fountain of youth. Players such as Ray Allen, Stephen Jackson, Derek Fisher and even Richard Hamilton have all been rumored to wanting another shot in the association.

Players are now getting some sizeable contracts and everyone wants in.

You can add Emeka Okafor to that list as well.

According to reports by ESPN Senior Writer Jackie McMullan, the former Charlotte Bobcat big man is attempting a comeback to the NBA. Okafor, who turns 34 this year, last played in the 2012-13 season for the Washington Wizards.

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But he suffered a herniated disc in his neck and hasn’t played since. There was a lot of hype for Okafor who was the second pick in the 2004 NBA Draft.

He averaged 15.1 points per game and 10.9 rebounds per game his rookie season and went on to average a double-double till the 2008-09 season. After that season he was traded to the New Orleans Hornets for Tyson Chandler.

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He ended up making his first-ever playoffs in 2010 but really faded away in that series. That turned out to be one of his last good seasons. He was injured for much of the next year and then was moved to Washington.

The following year saw Okafor being traded again. This time, it was the deal that sent Marcin Gortat to D.C. from the Phoenix Suns. It was a good place for Okafor to re-start his career but sadly that he is where he last played.

He suffered a herniated disc in his neck and has never played since. But now he is four years removed from that injury and is looking to come back into the NBA. The real question is what can Okafor offer a team and if he will look to only join a contender or not.

First things first. Okafor isn’t going to be playing at the beginning of the season. According to the report by McMullan, Okafor’s agent stated that he was “probably five to six months away.” That makes the ideal timing for Okafor around the December-January timeline.

So ideally he would like to join a contender and it would be much easier for him to get a shot. By January, you can see that some teams have separated themselves from the pack. Those teams are almost locks to make the playoffs and those are the teams that Okafor should probably join.

His offense might be sketchy at his age but at his size (6’10”), he would still be a very solid rim protector. Okafor’s role on any team would be a solid veteran off the bench that can provide rebounding and a defensive presence in the post.

He showed that no matter how many games he missed, his defense was always there. Any offense you get from him at this point is a bonus. His scoring average decreased in each successive year he played. Granted it wasn’t a big drop off, but it was troubling to see.

The injuries could be attributed to that, but Okafor’s lack of an offensive game showed as he got older. It wasn’t going to be his calling card. Health is also going to be a big issue for Okafor. In his nine NBA seasons thus far, Okafor has only had three seasons where he played in all 82 games.

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Obviously, he won’t play all 82 games this season but he has to be healthy enough to get minutes on the court.

Some teams that should be looking at Okafor are teams that need help at the center position and need to fill depth/defensive holes. Some teams like the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers should be taking a look at Okafor.

Although the Spurs signed two big men in Pau Gasol and David Lee, defense is not the strong suit of either player. Dewayne Dedmon is the only backup big man right now and if Lee proves to be too much of a liability on defense, the Spurs need a better rim protector.

The Cavaliers lost Timofey Mozgov in free agency and now need a solid rim protector. Tristan Thompson and Chris Andersen are now the best defensive big men on the team at the moment.

But Thompson’s strong suit is more rebounding than protecting the paint and who knows how Andersen will produce at his age. If any injuries pop up on either team, Okafor could be a good option for both contenders.

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Okafor is still a solid NBA player, despite the fact that he is getting older and he hasn’t played in the league in a couple of years. But if he stays healthy, he can be a solid defensive player off the bench that can help complete a contending team.