Windhorst: Miami Heat Interested In Blazers RFA C Greg Oden?
Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports that the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat are interested in Portland Trail Blazers restricted free agent center Greg Oden...
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The Heat are considering making a run at restricted free agent Greg Oden, league sources said. Oden, who hasn't played in nearly two years after suffering two different knee injuries, has a key doctor's examination this week when he could be cleared to resume contact practices.
The most the Heat could offer is the bulk of the $5 million mid-level exception.
The Blazers maintain matching rights for Oden but sources say [Heat president] Riley still is interested in making the pitch. It is apparently one of a number of options the team is considering. According to sources, they also have been in contact with free-agent centers Nene, Samuel Dalembert and Kwame Brown.
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The maximum offer Miami could make would be 4 years and $22 million. This courtship is likely dead on arrival given that there would seemingly be no hesitancy to match an offer of that size on Portland's part.
This week, Blazers president Larry Miller sounded like he thought Oden would be back in Portland and Oden's representative, Bill Duffy, made similar indications.
ed: text updated, bumped to front page
6 months ago
looster401
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No no, Riley... Please don't save yourself the trouble.
by hoodieNation on Dec 4, 2011 7:41 AM PST via mobile reply actions
exactly
if he makes a 5mil offer, and GO accepts. that’s awesome for us, because we’ll happily match and get GOfor a very good deal.
PHILLY!
Yes, it would be a great deal for us. But there is zero chance Oden accepts a $5M offer.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Dec 4, 2011 10:58 AM PST up reply actions
Agree!
If he was unrestricted it’d be something for him to think about. $5 million to play with the big three in Miami. But he and his agent know the Blazers are willing to pay $8 million for him, so it’d be a no brainer that the Blazers would immediately match, and GO loses $3 million for nothing…..
But I hope they make the offer anyway, just so the Blazers can match and get him on the “cheap”.
not really
Oden would be guaranteed 22 millionover 4 years vs just 8.9 million in one year from the Blazers. If Oden has another serious injury this year he’ll be lucky to get the mini-MLE next year.
Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin
Yah ok...
How the heck do they think they can offer for these bigs at 3mil a pop? They don’t have the cap or max mid.
by Hoi on Dec 4, 2011 8:12 AM PST via mobile reply actions
They have the full MLE available
At this point, they’re committed to just over $65 million to 8 players.
Riley can offer Greg 4 years and $21.35 million. Make that offer, Riles! You’d be foolish not to!
Blazer management
would match that offer in a heartbeat, right? Would Oden have to sign that offer for us to be able to match it, if so would he sign it knowing we would probably match it?
When your in a situation like Greg's
you take what ever deal is going to make you the most money. He doesn’t know how long he will last in the league and he needs to make as much as possible just incase this is his last contract.
yes, which is why the Blazers have the advantage NOW
to make a long term deal with Greg. Next year unrestricted would be an all out bidding war. But, of course, that is after whatever happens this season. Right now Greg can get a nice multi year contract with the Blazers. That is a calculated risk for the Blazers, but has great upside. Greg can take the one year deal now, but that is a calculated risk for him in case he does have another serious injury this season. Signing the multi year deal now guarantees a better financial future for Greg. He will have good money to invest in his post-basketball life, whatever he chooses that to be.
If indeed Greg’s heart is in Portland, he should be signing a multi year deal now, come what may.
Wake me when the game is on.
Exactly.
I’ve been arguing the same point for last year or so. The overriding concern for team GO at this point is get as much money as possible. His agent and handlers are stupid enough to take the 1 year gamble given his injury profile and lack of time on court to work on his game, not to mention it truly takes two years to come back from MF surgery.
The cake was a lie.
just got to hope management sees itthis way
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
It is Rumored that they might use the amnesty on their injury prone guard.
I must be related to whats his name, Oh Miller LOL.
hg
They should continue to follow their Samuel Dalembert route, and maybe add someone like Eddy Curry or Kwame Brown to the mix
Those last two also might be interesting for and interested in the Blazers.
If Miami signs Eddy Curry, I'll root hard against the Heat.
I can’t live in a world where Curry and Antoine Walker would have championship rings.
Well, at least until they sold those rings to pay off their debts.
"I Am Mine"
shoulda drafted the 'stache?
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
This is bad reporting.
The article makes it sound as if Riley can somehow convince Oden to come play for less.
The only way for the Heat to get Oden is for the Blazers not to match the low offer that the Heat can offer.
What I am scared of is Riley telling Oden to play out the year and then go there as a free agent (though if he plays well this year he could make more elsewhere).
He can attempt to convince him to take the QO and join them next year
He can also try to convince him that he should go the Blazers (or the public?) and request they not match the offer.
So yeah, Riley’s options are very limited. It’s likely he’d offer the full MLE to Greg, and hope Portland doesn’t match.
Not to mention
Oden can take the Blazer’s qualifying offer and make more than that anyhow, correct?
M, period. Fresh, comma.
In one year yes
but with his history, who’s to say he stays healthy enough to get another contract.
I think this was Riley's plan
"What he lacks in meniscus, he makes up for in nuts" Ben's Media Row Report after Brandon Roy's epic game 4 fourth quarter.
by greg6582 on Dec 4, 2011 10:32 AM PST via mobile reply actions
When he signed the “big three” to near max contracts, he was hoping that players who could command a larger salary elsewhere would be willing to take less just for the opportunity to play with them. NBA players have a relatively short career window and should make as much as they can in that span.
"What he lacks in meniscus, he makes up for in nuts" Ben's Media Row Report after Brandon Roy's epic game 4 fourth quarter.
by greg6582 on Dec 4, 2011 10:38 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Plus you hope players do that anyway
to help maintain a more competitive balance in the NBA. When superstars take less money to play together to win a championship, that seems kind of lame.
Unless it’s your team.
No way Oden signs that offer sheet.
He can do much, much better.
Greg should get himself back, play a few games, dunk on some fools, and go out and get himself a BIG deal in the summer of ’12.
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Dec 4, 2011 10:37 AM PST reply actions
If Greg was unhappy with BRoy for not using him
What would he feel like with their big three demanding all the attention?
hg
Under the circumstances
it’s a fair bet that every team in the league would make this kind of offer to anyone that’s available and willing to listen. After all, we’d all like to buy cheap. The rumor mills are working OT right now. Givent his line of thinking, we should be able to grab Chandler or Nene for the ME.
Even if they were more than rumors
frankly Greg has a point. having someone like Greg just watch other guys play offense for nearly an entire game is foolish at its core.
It has been proven that you can win in this league with a servicable center, but when you have a potential superstud like Oden you got to increase that guy’s usage. It is the only sane choice anway.
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
Increased usage
equal increase chance of injury. Just saying.
fair enough
but I remember when these stories were circulating in 2009, before December 5th, that that was not the principle concern at the time and frankly it would be hard for a player to perform to potential only focusing on protecting himself.
We have seen players do that and their game suffers. From a team perspective, If you are going to play them you should use them.
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
I can agree
But i don’t want to see any more of those monster dunks followed by a pull up on the rim when he then jumps off 5 feet off the floor…not good on your knees/anything else big guy.
by AR-15 on Dec 4, 2011 12:33 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah!!!
Martell used to do that crap too, and he’s got the busted up feet to prove it. Andre Miller should be the example these guys look to. Most of the time, the fella doesn’t get enough air to clear a credit card, but we know he can jam. Results? Let the streak speak.
I’ll take health over an emphatic dunk, please and thank you.
Doers & Makers > Movers & Shakers
during '09 preseason, Brandon was concerned that he and LMA weren't still option 1 and 2
then Greg’s said his eyes would light up whenever ‘Dre entered the game, because he knew he’d finally start touching the ball on offense
we never really got to see how well Roy and Oden would’ve co-existed, but I suspect it would be something like what Clyde used to tell Buck, back in the day
“Hey #52, you go rebound!”
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
and Buck was a much more polished offensive player
than Greg will likely ever be.
It’s all moot now. Every Blazer possession should go through LMA.
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Dec 4, 2011 6:26 PM PST up reply actions
Oh, I don't know about that
Williams had no post moves. He would run a little give and go with Clyde on the left side that usually resulted in a back-door lay-in, and he had range out to 15 feet, but he rarely shot the ball unless it was a put-back
Oden will re-discover his drop step and he can toss up baby hooks with both hands. Greg also has a jumper, although I’d encourage him to stay near the basket. Oden is also a better passer from the post than LMA is, though few Blazer fans will remember that now, since he’s played so little
“Every play must run through LMA?” Not if I was calling them. Sure, LMA is a threat to score, but he’s not that hard for opposing defenses to shut down, as we’ve seen in the playoffs the past 3 years. Portland needs to learn how to play together as a team, and make the extra pass that leads to the easy score. The ‘77-78 roster was the epitome of this, and the ’89-92 Blazers also did well in this area, thanks to Clyde’s unselfishness.
Individual play only takes you so far, when 5 players think and attack the defense as one, that’s when they will advance in the post season
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
With the Heat, Oden will be taught three things.
1. Pass to LeBron.
2. Rebound, and then pass to LeBron.
3. Block shots, and tip the shot to LeBron.
Blazers fan since '91
REST IN PEACE MAURICE LUCAS 1952-2010 R.I.P #20
"B.Roy, he play like Brandon Roy. That's it." - Nicolas Batum
"We're family. We're family because of this stupid, stinkin' team." - Dave
by rise_stand_resist on Dec 4, 2011 11:25 AM PST reply actions
You forgot the fourth thing
4. In the fourth quarter, always pass/tip the ball to DWade, not LeBron.
by The Cactus Leaguer on Dec 4, 2011 1:02 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Pat Riley is looking for the best players who show the best ability to pass the ball to LeBron
Blazers fan since '91
REST IN PEACE MAURICE LUCAS 1952-2010 R.I.P #20
"B.Roy, he play like Brandon Roy. That's it." - Nicolas Batum
"We're family. We're family because of this stupid, stinkin' team." - Dave
by rise_stand_resist on Dec 4, 2011 11:26 AM PST reply actions
read between the lines - not newsworthy
they also are interested in Dalembert, Nene, and Kwame Brown for crying out loud. So their interested in any big man with a pulse (if Brown is on their radar). So of course they’re at least considering Oden – he’s a high-upside guy that’s still young.
This doesn’t make sense anyway because Oden is going to command more $ than the Heat can offer, and any offer at that amount will definitely be matched.
Move along, nothing to see here
by rip_city_swagger on Dec 4, 2011 11:43 AM PST reply actions
That's incorrect.
Portland has already given him the Qualifying Offer. If they had declined to do so, he’d be an unrestricted free agent now. It would be the equivalent of declining his services.
However, Greg has not taken the Qualifying Offer. If he takes it, he plays this season, then would be an unrestricted free agent next season. Portland would have zero control over him, and can only make him an offer that he could decline.
Starting Dec 9th, teams can make him an offer. Also, Portland can make him ANOTHER offer, something besides the QO. Greg can then choose. Take the QO, Portland’s other offer, or sign on another team’s offer. If he signs another team’s offer, Portland can simply match it within 3 days, and Greg stays a Blazer. Otherwise, Greg would go to his new team.
It’s in Greg’s interest to field offers from both the Blazers and other teams, and take the best offer. If he’s not satisfied with the offers, he’ll need to decide between those offers and Portland’s QO, which leaves him in a precarious position: If he takes the QO and gets hurt, his value may plummet.
I thought Joel Anthony was a perfect fit for the Heat.
He is young, eager and developed throughout the season. He’s limited offensively but is a decent defender, shot blocker and rebounder. He works for cheap and probably will far into his career. He comes off as a hard-working guy with no ego. Joel Anthony surrounded by LeBron, Wade, and Bosh seems like a winner to me. When you have 3 All-Stars (two who are lock for the HOF), don’t you want a guy like Joel Anthony on the team?
Greg’s talent and development would be wasted on the Heat even if they could work out a deal financially,.
I think everyone in the league is Interested in Greg
who wouldn’t be?
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
Wow. Went over to Peninsula is Mightier (Heat SB Nation blog) and not only is this not posted, but there are tumbleweeds blowing around in there. Figures.
Also, this has about .000000001% chance of happening this year, although it does help to rile up a few of us neurotic Blazer fans (“Oh no! Miami is going steal him away from us for pennies on the dollar, magically heal him, help to make them a dynasty, and we’re gonna get hosed! NOOOOO!!!!”).
by The Cactus Leaguer on Dec 4, 2011 1:11 PM PST reply actions
No, they want Dalembert,
he’s from Haiti. Don’t you read Blazersedge ?
All this time I thought these guys were basketball players !
just win baby !
it's a good thing Greg's heart is in Portland
and not drawn to south beach
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Rain and Tattoos beat Sunshine and Silicone
everyday of the week and twice on Sunday
Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin
marc spears comes out with a new article
Restricted free-agent center Greg Oden is leaning strongly toward re-signing with the Portland Trail Blazers, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
PHILLY!
Miami's Pitch:
“Hey Greg, just take the QO and rehab. Take your time man, no need to rush back at all. We’ll give you our full MLE next summer.”
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
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