USA TODAY Sports
It doesn’t compare with the Dwight Howard saga yet, but Greg Oden‘s free agency is almost at the point of annoyance. For weeks, he’s been contemplating where to attempt to play the 2013-14 NBA season with his list of suitors narrowing by the day. Now Oden is reportedly down to his final five with three meetings left, but with the Miami Heat on that list, he’d be foolish not to sign with the defending champs.
The New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks are the other teams still in the running for Oden’s services — or lack thereof if he flops in what should be his last attempt at a comeback. Oden has already met with the two Texas teams and will work out in person in front of the other three teams this week before a decision is made.
One would think that with the two conference champions in the running, Oden would automatically eliminate the other three teams, none of which made the playoffs this past season. Considering the Spurs would be taking a much bigger gamble on him than the Heat would, Oden would be wise to sign with the defending champs, with whom he will likely “win” at least one title. That’s what Juwan Hhoward did after playing in a whopping seven games this past season. Heck, he only played in 28 games the year before, but has a ring to show for that one too.
Even if Oden fails to stay healthy and contribute to the Heat’s quest for a three-peat, he’ll likely be kept around like all the other worthless veterans on Miami’s roster who don’t play, yet piggyback off LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh‘s success. With a future on the line in this last-ditch effort Oden has lost his marbles if he’s thinking of taking his creaky body anywhere but South Beach.
