Free-agent Greg Oden meets with Celtics

BOSTON.COM
By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff


The Celtics are hoping to move up the list of teams that interests former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden after the two parties met Saturday afternoon in Boston.

Oden, a former prodigy who was supposed to change the Portland Trail Blazers franchise, has had microfracture surgeries on both knees and decided to take this season off to get those knees healthy as he attempts another return.

Oden has played a total of 82 games since entering the NBA in 2007 and has not been completely healthy since missing his entire rookie season with his first microfracture surgery. He last played on Dec. 5, 2009 with Portland, sustaining another serious knee injury that cost him two seasons.

The Blazers cut ties with Oden in March 2012 and he has been rehabilitating for the past season, targeting a 2013-14 return.

The Celtics have an interesting tie to Oden. They finished the 2006-07 season with the league's worst record and were planning to take Oden if they received the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. Boston received the fifth pick and drafted Jeff Green to include in a deal with the Seattle SuperSonics for Ray Allen.

If the Celtics had received the top two picks, they would have likely stuck with their rebuilding plan and taken Oden or Kevin Durant, and the Big Three Era may have never occurred. While some member of the Celtics' organization said they would have taken Durant, now one of the league's top superstars, with the top pick, coach Doc Rivers maintains they would selected Oden, then a franchise-caliber center drawing comparisons to David Robinson.

Oden has played well during his brief stints on the court but now may be relegated to a part-time player because of his health. He has undergone three microfracture surgeries and another surgery for a fractured left knee cap.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Danny Ainge meets with Greg Oden

By Steve Bulpett / Boston Herald

The Celtics took the next step with their interest in free agent center Greg Oden, bringing the 7-footer in for a meeting yesterday.

The Celts are among a number of clubs looking into the 25-year-old who has been limited by knee injuries to just 82 games in his NBA career. Oden, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, sat out his first year and last played in December 2009.

According to president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, the Celtics and Oden met to discuss both his health and where he may be able to fit in on the roster.


“We wanted to talk to Greg to see where he is physically,” Ainge said.

The fact Oden is still drawing strong interest from teams despite his medical history is a testament to his talent. The Ohio State product had five double-doubles — including a 13-point, 20-rebound night — in the 21 games he played before being injured in his last season with Portland Trail Blazers.

“We’re just finding out as much as we can and letting Greg know what we have here,” Ainge said. “He’s not ready to play now, but he’s someone who’s very interesting.”

Ainge added there is nothing imminent with Oden, who is investigating his options as he tries to get his knees ready for another run at the NBA.

There had been a report that Oden was not interested in the Celtics, but Ainge said, “I haven’t heard that. If it was true, then why would he fly in to speak with us?”

112288

ODEN? He wouldn't be available if he wasn't a long-shot, but if he ever played to half his potential, he'd be a game-changer. I'd love to see us pick him up for chump change, but not much more. If he bombs out with his next team, he'll have no value left.
On another thread, I saw a comparison between taking a chance on Sully and ODEN. I have little medical expertise, but feel more comfortable with the Sully choice and note that with Bass and Wilcox on the roster, DA was not really counting on Sully this year.
If Oden comes to us as a 3rd option at center, taking what was supposed to be Collins' spot, I'm fine with that. Even with no knees, he'd be a step up. Hawk