It is looking likely that Emeka Okafor will not be playing for a contender this season, as the former Connecticut big man stated he is strongly considering sitting out the year.
Okafor missed all of last season with a herniated disk in his neck. According to an unidentified source, it is believed that Okafor has recovered from that injury, but is reluctant to rush back to action this season. He was thought to be coveted by a number of teams including Cleveland and Dallas.
Okafor hasn’t had the type of career many had wished when he was drafted with the 2nd overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft. Okafor’s best season came in his rookie year when he averaged 15.1 points and 10.9 rebounds for the Charlotte Bobcats.
Okafor averaged double figures in points for his first seven NBA seasons, and was a double-digit rebounder for his first five NBA campaigns. While he has managed to stay relatively healthy during his career, Okafor has only managed to play more than 75 games four times in his nine-year career.
In his most recent NBA season, Okafor averaged 9.7 points and 8.8 rebounds, and started 77 of his 79 games played. There is no doubt Okafor has some good basketball left in him, but whether or not we get to see that this year remains to be seen.