Former number one overall pick Greg Oden has had his fair share of injury issues over the years, but the free agent center has become a prime target for teams this year, including the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies.
Oden is just 25-years-old and while he has had numerous knee surgeries and hasn't played in the NBA since 2009, teams see him as a valuable piece that can be added to a championship roster. The Blazers originally picked him first overall in 2007 ahead of Kevin Durant out of Ohio State, but he never could stay healthy and on the court and he currently has an average of 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 82 career games, the equivalent of a full season.
Oden has been working out all offseason and sources said that he is healthy enough to play this coming season and he looks like a great fit for a number of teams, including the Heat and the Mavericks. Oden is coming off of a third serious knee surgery from February of last year and the Spurs also look like a good fit after the Cavs signed Andrew Bynum.
The Mavericks have so far missed out on Dwight Howard and Bynum, which is why Oden could be a good fit for the team. The Mavs would likely have to move some pieces based on their salary cap situation and Mark Cuban may be willing to go after him especially if they lose out on Monta Ellis as well. Oden has dealt with injuries throughout his career, but it appears that he is finally ready to contribute.
While Oden's injuries were more serious than Bynum's, the fact that he got a contract bodes well for the former number one overall pick and he could fit on the bench in both Dallas and Miami. Oden looked like a sure thing coming out of college, but looking back now, the Blazers clearly made a mistake in taking him over Durant, the reasoning being that they had Brandon Roy at the time, who ironically now is done with knee injuries.
Odom has kept busy this offseason and he even had time to take in a Justin Bieber concert, according to Deadspin.com. The website posted a picture of him with some fans at the show in Indianapolis.
