Spears: Former Blazers C Greg Oden Draws Interest From Eight Teams

Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports reports that former Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden has drawn interest from eight teams since the free agency period opened.

Oden, 25,has received interest from the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies, league sources said.

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Oden is in a "good place" mentally now, one source said, and hopes to be ready physically to play by training camp.

Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com reports...

Greg Oden will likely choose from a group of suitors that includes the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies, a source close to Oden told ESPN.com.

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Sources close to Oden told ESPN.com that he is optimistic of returning for the 2014 season opener.

Heat president Pat Riley said last week that he would be "closely monitoring" Oden.

Earlier this year, Oden was linked to continued interest in an NBA comeback with the Heat and he visited with the Boston Celtics back in February. Back in December, it was reported that Oden has lost significant weight as he rehabilitates from his latest round of knee surgeries. Also in December, Blazers forward Nicolas Batum said Oden still wants to play in the NBA.

Oden said last year that he would become a gym teacher if he's not able to return to the NBA. Mark Titus, who has known Oden since high school, wrote a lengthy piece on Oden that discussed his time in Portland. Titus discussed that interview in multiple radio interviewsand podcasts. Titus also wrote a book that discussed his friendship with Oden.

Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee and arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in February 2012. In May 2012, he underwent Orthokine treatment on both of his knees. He hasn't played in an NBA game since December 2009.

Oden, 25, holds career averages of 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game in 82 appearances.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter