NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans have signed center Emeka Okafor through the rest of the season.Terms of the contract, announced by the club before Monday's night's game against Phoenix, have not been disclosed.The 6-foot-10 Okafor had been out of the NBA since 2013 because of a herniated disk in his neck before making a comeback this year. The Pelicans brought the 35-year-old back to the NBA on Feb. 3, signing him out of the G League on a 10-day contract. Okafor was signed to a second 10-day deal before his current extension through the end of the season.The former UConn star has played in six games for New Orleans, starting four, and is averaging 3.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and two blocks in 16.2 minutes per game.___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

Okafor likely won't sign with a team until midseason due to his recovery from the herniated disc in his back, ESPN reports.

Okafor suffered the injury in September of last year, and wasn't able to play in a single game for the Suns. The injury was bad enough that the recovery will continue to keep him out until midseason of the upcoming year. That being said, there will be a bunch of teams in the running to sign Okafor once he's healthy, as he's already been linked to a few different teams. Once he's back, Okafor will provide a team with veteran leadership and depth at the center position.

Emeka Okafor (herniated disk) could be the centerpiece of the rumored Pau Gasol trade between the Lakers and Suns.

Okafor may not see the court this season, but his contract could play a large part in the Suns acquiring Pau Gasol. In the rumored swap, the Lakers would take on Okafor's expiring $14.5 million contract in exchange for Gasol as they attempt to gain some salary relief. Fantasy owners don't need to concern themselves with what happens to Okafor, but he could still play a part in what might be the biggest trade before the deadline.

Emeka Okafor's herniated disk is "much more severe than initially anticipated," according to J. Michael of CSNWashington.com, and he "might be on the court again within three months."

Okafor's indefinite timetable to return was a key factor in the Wizards' decision to trade him along with a future No. 1 pick for Marcin Gortat and three other players whom Washington will waive. The Suns are more interested in developing Alex Len and Miles Plumlee than they are in seeing Okafor on the court, and he shouldn't be drafted in any fantasy leagues.

Emeka Okafor has been traded to the Suns, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

He is out indefinitely with an injury to his neck and the Suns got him to make the numbers work financially. Okafor is going to be an unrestricted free agent this year and the Suns aren't likely to keep him. He's not worth drafting considering his lack of a timetable.

Emeka Okafor (neck) is not with the team and traveled back to New York.

He's under supervision of a neck specialist in New York and doesn't appear close to a return. Okafor is out indefinitely and is not worth owning in most fantasy leagues until there is some sort of timetable for a return.

Emeka Okafor (neck) has started his rehab but does not have a timetable to return, according to coach Randy Wittman.

There hasn't been much clarity on this situation, but Okafor could miss a lot of time with his herniated C4 disk in his neck. He's not worth drafting in fantasy leagues and Kevin Seraphin will have a chance to bounce back from his disappointing 2012-13 season.

Updating a previous item, Emeka Okafor (neck) is "optimistic" that he won't need surgery on his herniated C4 disk.

He will try and rehab the injury and said he has no timetable for a return. Okafor is planning on doing manual manipulation and spine exercises while remaining hopeful to play this season. He isn't worth drafting with this news and Kevin Seraphin moves up as a target in standard drafts.

The Wizards announced that Emeka Okafor (neck) is out indefinitely with a spine injury.

An MRI revealed that he has a herniated C4 disc, which is located in the lower part of the neck. Okafor could miss time in the regular season and he said the Wizards are still hopeful to make the playoffs. Injuries to the spine can be tricky to put a prognosis on, so we're not going to speculate. Kevin Seraphin could have a chance to rebound from his sub-par 2012-13 and will be worth drafting late.

Emeka Okafor (ankle) will not play in the season finale vs. Chicago on Wednesday.

With Nene already out, it should be prime time for Kevin Seraphin to do his thing against Chicago in the final game of the year. Seraphin had 17 points, seven boards and a blockin 26 minutes on Monday.

Emeka Okafor (shoulder) played 22 minutes against the Knicks on Tuesday, scoring four points with eight boards and one assist.

He suffered a shoulder sprain on Sunday and didn't miss any games. Okafor's numbers have come down a bit, but he should have better luck against the Heat on Wednesday.

Emeka Okafor (sprained shoulder) is reportedly "fine" and should be ready to face the Knicks on Tuesday.

Okafor suffered a "mild sprain" but he didn't even need medical testing on Monday, which is an encouraging sign. The Wizards are in 10th place with no chance of making the playoffs, but they've been playing like the championship is at stake, so presumably Okafor won't be rested as a precaution.

Emeka Okafor scored 17 points on 8-of-16 shooting with eight rebounds, one steal and one block in Wednesday's loss to the Raptors.

Okafor's shooting depresses his value but he has been a solid low-end asset for most of the year.

Emeka Okafor plans on remaining with the Wizards next season.

Okafor is due nearly $14.5M next season if he doesn't opt out of his contract, and he'll never command that annual salary as a free agent. "My plan is to be here next year," he said. It would be a surprise to see Okafor walk away from that salary.

Emeka Okafor had 19 points, 10 rebounds and one steal for his ? double-double of the season on Saturday.

Nene missed another game with his knee injury, and Kevin Seraphin (13 points) racked up five fouls in 19 minutes, which left Okafor alone to anchor the Wizards' frontcourt. He made 7-of-14 FGs and 5-of-7 FTs in 27 minutes, while navigating his own foul problems, and he remains a low-end option.

Emeka Okafor shot 9-of-15 from the field for 21 points with nine boards in 31 minutes against the Grizzlies on Monday.

He wasn't himself in his return from the flu on Saturday and it was nice to see him turn in a nice outing against one of the better defenses in the NBA. Of course, Marc Gasol not playing certainly helped, but Okafor appears to be back and should be owned in all standard leagues.

Emeka Okafor (flu) returned on Saturday with seven points, five rebounds and one steal, logging 23 minutes as the starting center.

Kevin Seraphin had four points and six rebounds in 24 minutes, part of an effective second-unit attack, and Okafor wasn't the only starter whose minutes suffered as a result. The good news is that he's healthy heading into Washington's four-game week.

Emeka Okafor will return from the flu for Saturday's game against the Warriors.

He missed Wednesday and Friday with the illness, so hopefully he be close to 100 percent. Kevin Seraphin had a nice little run, but he can be cut and Okafor should be owned in standard leagues.

Emeka Okafor (flu) will not play against the Lakers on Friday.

He missed Wednesday's game against the Suns with the flu and it looks like he's got a bad case of it. Kevin Seraphin stepped it up on Wednesday with 16 points in 30 minutes and should have some degree of success tonight. Okafor could be ready to go against the Warriors on Saturday.

Emeka Okafor (flu) is a game-time decision against the Lakers on Friday.

Okafor did not play on Wednesday and is still too sick to make a call on his status this afternoon. Jason Collins got the start on Wednesday, and it's possible he will again on Friday since the Lakers are starting both Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard. If Okafor sits, Trevor Booker and Kevin Seraphin should see plenty of action along with Nene.