Free agent Greg Oden hasn't given up on returning to the NBA. The injury-plagued center is scheduled to meet this week with the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans, ESPN reports.
Dallas, who lost its bids for Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum, appear to be getting desperate for a center. Oden is slated to meet on Monday with the Mavericks, who are also reportedly pursuing Milwaukee Bucks free agent center Samuel Dalembert.
The former OSU star is also scheduled to have face-to-face meetings in Las Vegas with the Kings and Pelicans.
Earlier in July, the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies were reported as interested in Oden.
With centers Anderson Varejao and now Bynum on its roster, Cleveland is no longer pursuing Oden. Miami is still considered a contender for Oden, although the club did re-sign center Chris Andersen. San Antonio is also a frontrunner for Oden.
Oden, the first-overall pick of the 2007 NBA draft, has struggled to stay healthy since entering the league. He underwent his third microfracture knee surgery in February 2012, and he hasn't played in an NBA game since Dec. 5, 2009.
The Portland Trailblazers, who drafted Oden in 2007, waived him in March 2012. After missing the entire 2012-13 season to rehab from his injuries, the 7-footer feels ready to return to the NBA.
