Report: Cavs interested in Emeka Okafor

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Cleveland Cavaliers are among a number of teams that are interested in free agent center Emeka Okafor. Okafor, 31, missed all of last season while recovering from a serious neck injury and likely won't sign until midseason. According to Stein, about half the league is interested in Okafor's services. Two teams that are interested are the Cavaliers and the Miami Heat.

"He'll be in high demand when he's back," a source told Stein. If he is healthy and can play - and that's a big if - Okafor would be a fit with Cleveland due to his shot blocking ability.

If healthy, Okafor would be highly useful to the Cavaliers. Even after acquiring Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland is thin in the front court and especially so at the center position. Anderson Varejao is currently pegged in as the starter and the Cavaliers also have Alex Kirk and Brendan Haywood under contract. Tristan Thompson can and likely will also see some significant time at center, particularly in small ball lineups.

Varejao, however, has a well-known history of injuries. Kirk, an undrafted rookie, struggled with the Cavs' Summer League team and might not even be with the team after training camp. Haywood, although only 34, missed all of last season with a stress fracture in his foot. Other options, such as Greg Oden or Ekpe Udoh, don't appear to be on the Cavs radar.