Free agent Greg Oden has reportedly chose to sign with the Miami Heat. The 7-footer told ESPN Friday night of his decision to sign with the two-time defending NBA champions.
Miami, the first team to invite Oden for a visit this year, had long been rumored to be a frontrunner in the Oden sweepstakes. After a month of speculation between six teams, Oden chose Miami because it was the "best place" and "best fit," according to ESPN.
Oden's history of injuries isn't a risk to Miami, given his contract. The 25-year-old signed a two-year deal: the 2013-14 season will pay him $1.03 million, and he has a player option worth $1.14 million for following season.
The San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings were also in contention to sign the former No. 1 2007 draft pick. All six teams sent representatives to watch Oden work out last week, where several sources told ESPN the center "looked pretty good."
It's uncertain when Oden would return to the court.
"I could be ready to go but it's still a work in progress," Oden told ESPN. "My minutes and amount of playing time and all that is going to have to be monitored."
Oden, who hasn't played in an NBA game since December 2009, said "a big deciding factor" was that Miami assured him he "wouldn't be needed as much early in the season," which would allow him to continue to rehab and slim his weight down.
"When I had a conversation with Coach [Erik] Spoelstra and hearing how much he knew about the training stuff that I was already doing, it kind of made me feel like they know what's best for me," Oden said.
Signing Oden will cost the heat approximately $2.6 million in luxury taxes, but a healthy Oden could be a huge boon for the undersized team. He said his primary goal is to finish the season healthy, and he conceded he isn't quite ready yet to step onto the court.
"I'm not going to sit here and say I'm 100 percent," Oden said. "I am moving [well] and I am feeling good, but I have a lot of work to do."
