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Oden Passing by Grizzlies Amid Other Teams’ Interest?

By Christian Dudley

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Mar 21, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Greg Oden (20) defends Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) in the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 91-88. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Free-agent center Greg Oden was recently rumored to be receiving interest from the Memphis Grizzlies and now other teams are following suit.

Greg Oden is a free-agent center that has battling injuries throughout his basketball career. He is looking to give it another shot in the 2015-16–if only a team will provide one more opportunity.

In recent weeks, the Memphis Grizzlies’ interest in the former Miami Heat big man became publicly known. It was not very surprising being as Mike Conley, the Grizzlies’ star point guard, is a good friend of Oden. The two players grew up together, played high school basketball on the same team, and even played one season as teammates at Ohio State. There is a special bond between Conley and Oden and perhaps reuniting would rejuvenate the career of Greg Oden. Could GO be the missing piece to the Grizzlies’ championship dreams?

But could Greg Oden be expanding his horizons? James Herbert of CBS Sports reports that other teams are wanting to know what he may have left in the tank.

"Free agent center Greg Oden worked out for the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday and will be a part of the Dallas Mavericks’ free agent camp this coming week, according to RealGM‘s Shams Charania. He also worked out for the Memphis Grizzlies in the spring."

I can definitely see why many teams would want to see what Oden has to offer at this current point in time. Either he could still be a formidable 7’0″ center in the NBA or he is simply done. At this point, it has to be one of these two routes.

May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Greg Oden (middle) hoists the conference championship trophy after defeating the Indiana Pacers in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

You would think the Memphis Grizzlies would receive the favoritism of Oden if it comes down to him making the decision of where to sign–assuming his workouts are showing signs of success. A Conley-Oden pairing in the association is an experiment I would love to see albeit at a cost that comes with little risk.

I have a feeling that there will be a great chance Oden does in fact make a return to the NBA in the fall. I just hope the Memphis Grizzlies do not act slowly and let a team like the Hornets or a conference foe–such as the Mavericks–sweep him up and boost his career.

Stay tuned to Beale Street Bears for the latest news and info of the offseason regarding your Memphis Grizzlies!

Go Grizz!

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