Another report Oden hasn’t given up NBA dream; Heat interested

Reports of Greg Oden’s comeback always seem to come from the people around him. The man himself seems to have a healthier perspective.

Fitting that pattern comes the latest report of a potential Oden comeback, this one from Oden’s former college teammate Mike Conley (now the Grizzlies point guard). He spoke with Ric Bucher of CSNBayArea.com, on Sulia.

I’m told by Mike Conley, his college teammate at Ohio State, that Greg is back in Columbus, taking classes and trying to get into playing shape and that he hopes to be available to hit the free-agent market and join a team before the end of this season. If he can’t get his body right by then or there isn’t sufficient interest, he intends to take another shot at it next fall. The takeaway: Oden hasn’t given up on resuming his -- or, perhaps more accurately, having a -- NBA career.

And there are teams interested, reports ESPN. That would include the Miami Heat.

Sources told ESPN.com that multiple teams have already expressed interest in signing Oden to a multi-year deal before the end of this season that would allow him to continue his rehab until he can get back on the court in training camp next fall.

The Miami Heat are at the front of the line in pursuing Oden, two sources said, and have been keeping tabs as he recovers while also taking classes at Ohio State.

Multi-year? Really? With team options, maybe. Maybe.

Oden said last August he is working out trying to recover from a third microfracture surgery. He said he wouldn’t give up on the dream of a return to the NBA completely yet. But he also sounded like a guy who has made peace with his situation.

“If it happens, it happens,” he said. “I’ve got to move on with my life. I know I want to play basketball. If I physically can’t play basketball, then I’ve got to move on … I’ve still got to wake up tomorrow. I’ve still got to live. One day, I’m going to want a family and I’ve got to provide for them. So if basketball doesn’t work out, you gotta keep it moving.”

Oden, the former No. 1 overall pick of the Blazers, hasn’t set foot on an NBA court since 2009 and before that played 82 games in four seasons in Portland. He has had multiple knee procedures.

Honestly, I’m rooting for it to happen, I hate to see good players betrayed by their bodies. But I wouldn’t bet a penny on it happening.