Bobcats' Head Coach Larry Brown claims that the team is looking to sign restricted free agent center Emeka Okafor to a contract, according to ESPN.com.

"I hope that it works out because I was with him a little while, and he's a terrific kid," said Brown, who coached Okafor on the 2004 U.S. Olympic team. "He plays a position that's very hard to find. And he's the second pick in the draft. I'm sure we'll do what's right. Hopefully, he'll be here."

Okafor turned down an offer from Charlotte last summer worth roughly $12 million a year.

He could sign a one-year qualifying offer with the Bobcats worth $7.1 million, which would allow Okafor to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.