RealGM

Greg Oden has decided he doesn't want to sit out the entire 12-13 NBA season as he previously stated in an May interview.

Oden called his agent Mike Conley and that he wants to play.

“(Oden) called me, and he was kind of excited,’’ Conley said Thursday. “I think he’s motivated …. He wants to play. He had said he wanted to take this season off, but he’s backed off from that …. He’s open to playing this season. I think he will play this season.’’

Oden has had five surgeries on his knees since entering the NBA.

“He’s starting to work out,’’ Conley said of Oden, who was recently cleared for workouts, feeling better about his situation. “He’s excited. You can tell he’s getting antsy. At the end of the day, I want him to finish out his NBA career. He’s still pretty young (24).’’

Conley said he has not heard from the Miami Heat at all since Oden was waived. But he said Oden has interest in the Heat if they ever were to be interested.

“Obviously, if the Heat wanted him, who wouldn’t want to play for the Heat?’’ Conley said of the defending champions. “That goes without saying. They have roster spots and a need (at center). But it’s too early to say about where he might play.’’

Conley expects Oden to find a contract.

“He’s going to sign somewhere,’’ Conley said. “He’s going to get healthy and be coming back.’’

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/222279/Oden_Seeks_Contract_For_12_13_Season#ixzz20R0s8Fxa

We should purse it with caution. Depending on the money it could be a low risk.

I am sure insurance won't cover him so you are looking at paying his entire contract if he can't make it back.

My only thing with him is that most of his injuries have been of the non contact kind. Just coming down. Bynum saw alot of injuries due to getting rolled up in a pile or a guy falling into his knee. He is injury prone, but in a way that could have been avoided.

Greg Oden got injured because he jumped....

...

I would rather throw vet min at Darko.

Question: Who's been the bigger bust

1. Darko
2. Kwame
3. Michael Olowakandi
4. Greg Oden

1.Darko - has at least contributed something to the Grizz and the Timberwolves. Not worthy of his pick though.

2: Been one of the better defensive bigs in the League for years now. When he was the focal point in Washington put up decent numbers but you were never going to win with him being the offensive focal point. But he is really good at SOMETHING in the league. Looking at his draft though, nobody really deserved to go number one. Curry? Chandler? Battier?

3: Averaged a double double for his career(well...close). Not a great number one pick, but not as horrible a career as some have made it out to be. Plus he played for the Clippers in their "kill your career" stage.

4: The book isn't closed but its pretty darn close to being shut. Has offered nothing, All the above have put up better numbers and did so without being injured all the time. Kandi's career average is better than Odens best,


Oden clearly wins.

Good points, Rip. Though I would disagree on your second point.

Pau Gasol would have been a worthy pick at #1. Joe Johnson and Tony Parker are probably the other top players from that draft. Though, admittedly, #1 for either of them would have been a reach back then.

That 2001 draft is largely considered the draft that made the NBA demand kids be one year removed from High School.

And for the record, I would take a chance on a veteran's minimum one year deal for Oden.

Forgot about Pau, he was the number one. Not using hindsight though, Kwame would probably still be the number 2 pick. That just wasn't a great draft.

If our summer camp bigs dont work out id welcome a healthy oden

GrimeyKidd wrote:If our summer camp bigs dont work out id welcome a healthy oden

Im sure every team would welcome a HEALTHY Oden, the problem is his health

Oden is better than everybody else out their

i would just go %100 what ever the doctor said. if the doctors give the thumbs up, then go for signing Oden.

but if the doctors are alittle bit "ify" on Oden, then 'no', i'll just stick with looking at Benson or Haywood.