http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/9533451/former-no-1-pick-greg-oden-sign-miami-heat
Greg Oden to sign with Heat
Updated: August 2, 2013, 9:05 PM ET
ESPN.com news services
Greg Oden, the former No. 1 overall pick who hasn't played in an NBA game since 2009, will sign a contract to play for the Miami Heat, the center told Grantland.com.
The deal is for a minimum of two years with a player option in the second year, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein and Jeff Goodman.
Miami had been considered the favorite to land Oden. Heat president Pat Riley has been personally recruiting Oden since before the end of the 2012-13 regular season. And, of course, Miami is coming off winning an NBA title with a lineup that includes LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, among others.
Oden has worked out for several teams over the past few weeks. His final three teams were believed to be Miami, San Antonio and Dallas. Oden worked last week in Indianapolis and five teams watched him. They presented offers earlier this week that detailed not only financial specifics but also each club's medical plans for overseeing the 25-year-old Oden's ongoing recovery from a multitude of knee problems.
New Orleans, Sacramento and Atlanta were the other known suitors for Oden.
Oden hasn't played in an NBA game since Dec. 5, 2009, and underwent his third career microfracture surgery as recently as February 2012. He was selected No. 1 overall by Portland in 2007 but has played in just 82 career NBA games thanks to injury woes. In 21 games in the 2009-10 season, Oden averaged 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game before succumbing to injury again.
