The 2014 NBA Free Agency Rumors & Predictions are on the homestretch and one of the intriguing prospects left on the table is Emeka Okafor.

The former Rookie of the Year winner has been on a steep decline and his injury almost drove him out of the NBA. The Phoenix Suns traded a disgruntled Marcin Gortat for him simply for the cap space and now he's up for grabs.

Teams with a hole in the middle are giving him a second look, according to ESPN:

"Roughly half of the league, I'm told, has registered interest this summer in Okafor, despite the fact that the 31-year-old free agent lost the entire 2013-14 season while recovering from a serious neck ailment. 

The list of pursuers for the defensive-minded center, according to NBA front office sources, includes LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers as well as LeBron's old friends in Miami. 

But I'm likewise told that Okafor is unlikely to sign anywhere until midseason as he continues to recover from his herniated disk. 

Said one source: 'He'll be in high demand when he's back.'"

LeBron James has yet to play with a solid rim protector in his career. They saw how the San Antonio Spurs used that weakness against them in the recently concluded NBA Finals with the MIami Heat.

The Heat took a gamble on Greg Oden last year in hopes to fill that void but Oden was hardly used and with various off court issues, Oden might be done. 

Okafor, on the other hand, has been a solid performer prior to injury. He can still provide solid rim protection for a possible contender. The Cavs really don't have much to lose, but if Okafor can return to form, he should be able to command more than the minimum as he can play a bigger role for another team.