Report: Grizzlies looking at Greg Oden
The Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing Greg Oden in for their free-agent minicamp in June, according to Shams Charania of RealGM.
The 27-year-old center is undecided on whether or not he'll participate in the camp, Charania reports.
It's worth noting that Oden's close friend and Ohio State teammate, Mike Conley, is the starting point guard for the Grizzlies. The two led the Buckeyes to the NCAA championship game in 2007.
The former No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, selected one spot ahead of Kevin Durant, Oden has a long injury history. He missed his entire rookie season due to microfracture surgery on his right knee. In Oden's second pro season - technically considered his rookie year since he hadn't played in his first year - he debuted for the Portland Trail Blazers, only to leave the game with a foot injury. Two weeks later, he appeared in a game against the Miami Heat and scored his first NBA points.
Oden injured his left knee in December 2009 and had to be stretchered off the course. He later underwent surgery for a fractured left patella and missed the remainder of the season.
Shortly after the 2010-11 season tipped off, the Blazers announced Oden would have microfracture surgery on his left knee, effectively ending yet another campaign for the center - Oden's third NBA season cut short due to a knee injury.
The Blazers eventually waived Oden in March 2012.
After sitting out the following season, Oden returned to the league when the Miami Heat signed him to a one-year contract in August 2013. He played sparingly for the Heat during the regular season and averaged 2.3 minutes through three games during the playoffs. He tallied no points, 0.3 rebounds and no blocks during the Heat's postseason run, which ended in a 4-1 series loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals.
Oden did not play this season, stating that he had to deal with "life stuff" and that a comeback to the league did not interest him at the time. He reached a plea deal with the state of Indiana on felony battery charges on Dec. 23.
He's been working out with fellow Buckeye alums Jared Sullinger and Evan Turner to start the offseason.
Let's hope, for the Grizzlies' sake, that Oden is ready to suit up once again.