The Miami Heat continue to look into the possibility of signing former first-overall draft pick Greg Oden to a free agent deal. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and vice president of personnel Chet Kammerer met with Oden in Indianapolis Tuesday and attended his workout, along with officials from the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans.
The former Portland Trailblazer is trying to make a comeback after spending the last season out of the NBA. He was cut by Portland last season after appearing in only 82 games after they selected him first in the 2007 draft.
The Heat have long been rumored to be interested in Oden. In January, Oden's agent Mike Conley Sr. said the Heat were "at the front of the line" of teams pursuing Oden. After the NBA Finals, Heat president Pat Riley acknowledged the team's interest, saying, "We will explore that and see where it goes."
Besides New Orleans and Sacramento, the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs have also attended Oden workouts recently. The Atlanta Hawks will pay him a visit later this week, according to the Herald.
"Every team [that has shown interest] remains under strong consideration," Oden's other agent Bill Duffy told the Miami Herald Tuesday. He expects Oden to select a team next week.
Miami can offer Oden the $1 million league minimum or a mid-level exception contract worth $3.2 million a season. The Heat have also expressed interest in Marcus Camby and re-signed center Chris "Birdman" Andersen earlier this month, so signing Oden is not a make-or-break proposition for the Heat.
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When he was healthy, Oden was one of the best big men in basketball. During his only year at Ohio State, he averaged 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game and led the Buckeyes to the NCAA Tournament final. He has averaged 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks a game for his career.
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