Free agent Greg Oden has a market for his services this summer. Five NBA teams, including the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, are rumored to be highly interested in the injury-prone center, ESPN reports. Can the former No. 1 pick make a comeback?
A source told ESPN Oden is likely to have his choice between the Heat, Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies. Oden is said to be most interested in the Spurs and Cavaliers, where he thinks he'll best fit.
Oden's decision in free agency may determine whether the Heat re-sign free agent Chris Andersen. Although an undersized center, Miami will need Andersen in the paint if it's unable to acquire another center willing to take a pay cut.
Signing Oden, 25, is a risk-reward situation for any team. The Portland Trail Blazers picked him first-overall in the 2007 NBA draft after a stellar career at Ohio State, but injuries snagged any chance of Oden making an impact in the NBA.
His history of knee injuries, along with his three microfracture surgeries, makes the 7-footer a risky acquisition.
Oden missed his rookie season after sustaining a right knee injury and undergoing his first microfracture surgery; he missed the remainder of the 2009-10 season after a left knee injury in December forced him to undergo surgery; most of the 2010-11 was missed after undergoing his second microfracture surgery, and he missed 2011-2012 after suffering a setback in December and subsequently undergoing his third microfracture surgery in February.
He hasn't played in an NBA game since Dec. 5, 2009. After being waived by Portland in March 2012, Oden sat out the following season to focus on rehab. A source close to Oden says the free agent expects to be ready for the 2013-14 season opener.
Oden averaged 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 82 career games.
