Greg Oden is widely considered to be one of the biggest NBA draft busts in league history, but his failures have been caused by injury as opposed to a lack of effort or talent.
Oden has only appeared in 82 games in two years with the Portland Trailblazers after getting taken first overall in the 2007 NBA draft, ahead of Oklahoma City Thunder forward and three-time scoring champion Kevin Durant.
When Oden has been able to play, he has proven himself an impact player on the defensive end of the floor while offering serviceable offense. Had his career not been interrupted time after time by severe knee injuries, it's fair to assume his offense would have taken a few steps forward.
Oden hasn't played since the 2009-2010 season, but is planning a grand return to the league he was once expected to dominate. He's worked out for several teams, including the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks.
According to reports, the Heat, Spurs and Mavericks are leading the way in the chase for Oden. At seven feet tall and 250-plus pounds, his lengthy layoff isn't enough to scare away clubs enamored with his talent.
In 2009-2010, Oden's numbers were starting to surge upward before he underwent his third career microfracture surgery. He was averaging 11.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, along with 2.3 blocks a night. His per 36 numbers, according to basketball-reference.com, worked out to 16.7 points and 8.2 rebounds a game, and a whopping 3.4 blocks. To put that into context, Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka led the NBA last season in swats with, 242. He averaged three per game.
Although the aforementioned trip has the best shot at landing Oden, a source close to him said the Pelicans are "still in the mix." Oden also worked out for the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Memphis Grizzlies but those teams declined to make an official offer.
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