Hoops Habit
Fansided

Could Greg Oden Bring Anything To The Memphis Grizzlies?

By D. Goodman

Feb 18, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Miami Heat center Greg Oden (20) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Miami Heat center Greg Oden (20) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

According to RealGM, the Memphis Grizzlies are seriously considering taking a look at former first overall pick Greg Oden. Word is that the Grizzlies want to see if he could bring anything to the team and will likely invite him to a free-agent camp in June so they can take a look.

The 7-foot center last played for the Miami Heat during the 2013-14 season, when he played in 23 games and averaged 2.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game. Before that he spent two season with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he averaged 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks his rookie year.

More from Memphis Grizzlies

Of course, Oden is better knows for a string of knee issues and surgeries that have limited his effectiveness and domestic violence charges that he eventually struck a plea deal to settle.

So the question becomes, why in the name of all that’s Holy would the Grizzlies want to take a look at a player whose best days (if he ever had any) are decidedly behind him?

There is the fact that Oden is best friends with Grizzlies’ point guard Mike Conley. The pair played together in high school and college and both are represented by Conley’s father, Mike Conley Sr.

If the Grizzlies were to sign Oden and at least give him a chance to make the roster, it could be just the show of faith Memphis needs to make some headway in signing Conley past next season when his contract is up.

There is also the Grizzlies precarious situation at center to consider. Both Marc Gasol and Kosta Koufos are unrestricted free agents as of the July and odds are that one or both of them won’t be back next year. Is Oden the answer? Probably not, but any way you look at it the Grizzlies are going to need some help at the center position next season.

Even if they could get just 15-20 minutes out of Oden a game, it would be a huge help, especially if Memphis somehow manages to convince Gasol to stay and ends up losing Koufos to free agency.

Live Feed

Ex-Grizzlies guard opens up on desired landing spots for 2023-24 season
Ex-Grizzlies guard opens up on desired landing spots for 2023-24 season /

Beale Street Bears

  • Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant snubbed from recent rankingsBeale Street Bears
  • Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. avoids questions on recent foul troublesBeale Street Bears
  • Dillon Brooks throws subtle jab at Grizzlies during FIBA World CupBeale Street Bears
  • Memphis Grizzlies duo ranks in as No. 1 in entire leagueBeale Street Bears
  • 3 untouchable Memphis Grizzlies not named Ja MorantBeale Street Bears

    • Before Oden and the Grizzlies can sign any contracts, there are a number of questions that will need to be answered. At this point no one knows what kind of shape Oden is in and how long it would take for him to get back into some semblance of game-readiness.

    Then there are Oden’s knees to consider and just how much punishment they can put up with, particularly in the Grit and Grind style of play Memphis employs. The biggest question of all may be if Oden is mentally ready to try and make a comeback, even with a team that he seems already comfortable with (Oden had a workout with the Grizzlies in the spring).

    There is no doubt that at one time Oden had all the makings of a stellar NBA player with the potential for a long, outstanding career. He averaged 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds in 2007 on his way to leading Ohio State to the NCAA championship game of the tournament that year.

    Now Memphis may be willing to roll the dice to see if Oden has anything left to give. Will he make the team? Who knows, but one thing you can be sure of is that everyone loves a comeback.

    Greg Oden’s may be next.

    Next: 50 Greatest NBA Players Of The 1980s

    More from Hoops Habit

    Home/Memphis Grizzlies