Greg Oden rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers were interested
By Bryan Rose
After the Miami Heat’s season ended, center Greg Oden expressed a desire to continue his NBA playing career.
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Oden didn’t necessarily suggest he would only return to the Heat, just that he wanted to play basketball. It seemed as if he would get his opportunity as not only were the Miami Heat interested in re-signing the oft-injured big man, so were the Cleveland Cavaliers.
That’s the word from Fox Sports’ Sam Amico who says signing Greg Oden was discussed by the Cleveland Cavaliers front office earlier this offseason.
Asked by a fan in his weekly chat if Oden was a possibility for the Cavs this season, Amico gave the following response.
“I know his name was discussed by the Cavs prior to that (arrest). Seems doubtful now.”
Oden joining the Cavaliers seems ‘doubtful’ because the former No. 1 overall pick is dealing with legal issues in Indiana in which he is accused of assaulting a former girlfriend.
The Cavaliers have been seeking a big man who can give them about ten minutes of nightly action, a role which would have been perfect for Greg Oden. However, given his legal woes, it seems extremely questionable to think he’ll be back in the NBA this season and may never possibly play again if the charges prove to be truthful.
Even before the arrest, Oden’s NBA career was hanging on by a thread given his injury risk and sub-par play, but given his recent troubles, he’ll really need to show a dramatic improvement if he’s to see work as an NBA player again.