Greg Oden interview (plans to come back for 2013)

[Biw]

He's waiting until the summer to sign. More teams will have more money to offer. Including Miami and a MLE. He hasn't lost interest in the Cavs. He's just hoping to get us into a bidding war.

It's annoying as a fan, but I can't say I wouldn't do the same if in his position.

 

[MattyFos.]

It's annoying as a fan, but I can't say I wouldn't do the same if in his position.

Yeah, it's the right call for Oden. He's not playing this year. No point signing for a smaller contract if the market is hot on you and will remain hot because you're a 7 foot defensive presence. Odds are this is his last contract. He has to make it the best contract he can.

 

[Kyrieville]

Miami isn't going to give Oden the MLE, not with the upcoming luxury tax and his injury history.

 

[Douglar]

It's annoying as a fan, but I can't say I wouldn't do the same if in his position.

I don't think Oden's making the call here. I think Oden's just a large sports medicine patient on the payroll of an enterprising agent.

 

[3 Da Hard Way]

Thomas has been joined in his workouts by Greg Oden, who is attempting a comeback to the NBA next season.

“He looks unbelievable,” Thomas said. “He’s running, lifting weights. You might be seeing a comeback. He looks like he’s ready to go. For a big 7-footer, that’s all he does, running and getting in shape. He’s looking right.”

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland...nba-team-his-phone-number-at-combine-1.398278

 

[The Process God]

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland...nba-team-his-phone-number-at-combine-1.398278

Irving-Waiters-Porter-Thompson-Oden. Get it done, Grant!

 

[Mdog1]

This guy is one of the reasons the Center position is dead. Look at the injured list of some of the potential great bigs of the last decade, and it's no shock. Oden, Yao, Bynum, Bogut. If those 4 were in the league (and completely healthy), this whole C thing would be much different. That's 4 of the top 6 C's in the league. This new crop with Drummond as the leader will hopefully be much healthier.

 

[Damage]

This guy is one of the reasons the Center position is dead. Look at the injured list of some of the potential great bigs of the last decade, and it's no shock. Oden, Yao, Bynum, Bogut. If those 4 were in the league (and completely healthy), this whole C thing would be much different. That's 4 of the top 6 C's in the league. This new crop with Drummond as the leader will hopefully be much healthier.

The C position has definitely evolved but a dominant C is still the most coveted player/position the game. Just so happens the NBA is a guard driven league now, forcing teams to go smaller and quicker.

The other big reason, imo, is something we were clamoring for YEARS when LBJ was here: this smaller/quicker lineup has forced your traditional SF's to now play PF's. Simmons touched on it in a pod last week; Melo, LBJ, even Paul George and Harrison Barnes at times are playing PF. This creates so many match up problems that slow, plodding C's are obsolete, for the most part.

 

[KI4MVP]

This guy is one of the reasons the Center position is dead. Look at the injured list of some of the potential great bigs of the last decade, and it's no shock. Oden, Yao, Bynum, Bogut. If those 4 were in the league (and completely healthy), this whole C thing would be much different. That's 4 of the top 6 C's in the league. This new crop with Drummond as the leader will hopefully be much healthier.

Also Howard's health issues the last two years.

 

[jpow6636]

I say we take Noel and sign Oden as well. If Oden comes in and stays healthy then that allows us to trade Varajao at the deadline with the depth of Noel, Zeller and Oden.

 

[Soar]

I say we take Noel and sign Oden as well. If Oden comes in and stays healthy then that allows us to trade Varajao at the deadline with the depth of Noel, Zeller and Oden.

Wouldn't be opposed to giving Oden a look. But I think Andy is here to stay with Mike Brown back.

 

[Triumph36]

Wouldn't be opposed to giving Oden a look. But I think Andy is here to stay with Mike Brown back.

which is silly.

 

[JSS2306]

which is silly.

It's not silly at all. With Andy's recent spat of injuries he's not exactly the lock down trade chip we make him out to be. The stance of the organization has been adamant to keep him unless the price is right.

To his original point though, I don't see Mike Brown vouching for an Andy trade based on his past experiences but I also don't know how much say Brown will have with something like that.

 

[jpow6636]

My whole thing was based on if Andy comes back and stays healthy until the trade deadline. At that point Noel would be in uniform, we would see where Oden is and also see how Zeller's development is coming.

If Andy can stay healthy until then he is more than likely in top 3 of rebounding and with his offensive game that he showcased at times last year no way a team in contention doesn't go for him to help get them over the top.

 

[MirORich]

Overpay Oden for one year. Use the salary cap space and massively overpay him for 1 year only to minimize the commitment while gaining eventual Bird rights and trade asset if he plays strong and stays healthy. If another team is prepared to give him 2 years at 10 million, just give him 1 year at 8-9 million. That way you make sure not to rush Noel back(if we take him) and let him come on slowly when he's back. If Oden busts or gets injured, it essentially was just take a low risk, high reward stab on a player at a premium position and has no bearing on what we can do in 2014.