The injury stricken former No.1 overall pick Greg Oden is set to host three teams this week as he prepares for his NBA comeback, according to sources with knowledge of the free-agent center's plans.
Sources say that on Monday that the Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings will all send representatives this week to watch Oden work out in person.
Sources say that the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks -- which had face-to-face meetings with Oden last week -- also remain in contention for the 7-footer's services. But the Heat and Spurs established themselves as the front-runners to land Oden last month and, according to one source close to the process, remain the co-favorites to sign him.
However, the Pelicans have also been rumored to being a favorite due to the fact that being in New Orleans would enable Oden to make his comeback without the media spotlight and with no immediate pressure to perform at a high ability. This will give him time to bounce back from the knee issues, that have limited the 25-year-old to just 82 career regular season games, at his own pace.
As for the Mavericks, it was expected that they'd end their pursuit after landing Samuel Dalembert last week, but they've continued to try to press their luck for Oden. The Mavs have pitched Dallas -- under the auspices of longtime Team USA trainer Casey Smith -- as the ideal launching pad for his comeback.
Oden was the top overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft out of Ohio State and has battled numerous knee injuries and hasn't played in the NBA since Dec. 5, 2009. He is coming off his third microfracture knee surgery in February 2012.
Oden has averaged 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 82 career games and has been working out in both Columbus and Indianapolis this past offseason.
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