Emeka Okafor wants to continue his NBA career.

The Pelicans have requested waivers on center Emeka Okafor. Okafor has previously told TheUndefeated that he wants to continue his NBA career after returning from a lengthy hiatus last season.

Okafor signed a pair of 10-day contracts last season before receiving a deal for the remainder of the year.

The veteran big man had one season remaining on his non-guaranteed contract worth $2.4 million. The Pelicans would have owed Okafor $100,000 had they released him after Sept. 21, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

The move could pave the way for 2015 No. 3 overall pick Jahlil Okafor, who signed a partially guaranteed deal earlier this summer.