Report: Greg Oden hopes for NBA comeback, linked to Hornets and Mavericks

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Former first overall pick Greg Oden is hoping for a comeback.

Dogged by a horrible history of knee injuries, the first pick of the 2007 draft has only managed to play 114 games in the NBA. He last played for the Miami Heat in 2013-14, when a gimpy Oden managed averages of 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game.

But after yet another season away from the court, Oden hopes to impress the Dallas Mavericks in a free-agent minicamp next week, reports Shams Charania of RealGM.

Oden also worked out for the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, reports Charania. The Memphis Grizzlies, who hosted Oden for a workout in spring, will continue to monitor him as well.

Oden was a prodigious talent coming out of Ohio State. He dominated the collegiate ranks, posting averages of 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game. Gifted with herculean size, superb shot-blocking instincts, and a soft touch around the rim, Oden was selected ahead of Kevin Durant, who dropped to the Seattle SuperSonics.

Between seasons of grueling rehab, Oden struggled with multiple off-court incidents. He battled alcohol addiction and plead guilty to felony battery charges in 2014. As recently as November, Oden told reporters that he had "to deal with other stuff first, life stuff" before pursuing a return to basketball.