With the 2015 NBA Draft and free agency right around the corner, the rumor mill is in full swing as experts and fans try to predict where players will end up. The fact that Greg Oden didn’t play in the NBA this past year hasn’t prevented teams from taking an interest in his services. He’s still a former first overall pick and that’s one reason that keeps his name in the mix even though he hasn’t been productive virtually ever. He’s played a total of 105 games since being taken first overall in 2007.
That’s why it raised a few eyebrows when the Memphis Grizzlies were reported to be trying him out. While it may seem a tad odds, here are three reasons why the Grizzlies would be interested in the big man.
A Replacement Center
Memphis already has one of the best big man tandems in the NBA with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph locked in, but the very real threat of Gasol leaving as a free agent this summer could sway them to pursue some insurance in Oden. The Grizzlies would love to bring Gasol back in to the fold and by all accounts, he should be back. But when it comes to free agency, you simply never know and it wouldn’t be a major shock at all if he decided to take his talents elsewhere. Oden wouldn’t be able to fill the role Gasol has played by any stretch of the imagination but it makes sense that Memphis is shopping for Plan B’s.
The other – and more likely – factor here is that backup center Kosta Koufos is an unrestricted free agent too. If the Grizzlies blow the bank on Gasol, that makes it less likely Koufos returns. With that in mind, Oden becomes a cheap option to replace Koufos that the Grizz could take a flier on.
Reuniting Buckeyes
The obvious connection here is that Oden and Mike Conley were teammates at Ohio State when the 2007 Buckeyes went to the NCAA championship game. That relationship could help foster a deal between the two sides. Conley and Oden have remained good friends and the idea that Conley would vouch for him seems like a reasonable expectation considering their history. The key with Oden is to have someone or some setup that unlocks his massive potential. It hasn’t happened yet but reuniting with Conley might make it happen.
Unlocking His Potential
The Grizzlies have done a great job developing big men as Gasol, Randolph and even Koufos have blossomed for the Grizzlies. With Oden, the hope is that with their coaching and the guidance of a lot of successful big men, the Grizzlies would be able to do something that no other team has been able to do: get the most out of Oden.
The truth is that injuries have crippled his career but when healthy, he still averaged 8.0 points per game and 6.2 rebounds. Who knows…if he’s back with Conley, if the coaching is right and the other big men can show him what they did to get to the next level, Oden could prove to be a reliable bench presence.
Keeping Him From Signing Elsewhere
One obvious aspect of a potential deal for Oden is the fact that by signing Oden at a minimum price tag the Grizzlies will add to their depth while at the same time preventing a rival team from adding his services. Oden has been a bust to this point in his career but the feeling is that he could still be a decent depth player on a contending team if he’s healthy. Remember, he’s just 27 years old and if he doesn’t go to Memphis, he could very well end up on another Western Conference contender. The San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers are among the team that have been talked about when it comes to the rumors surrounding Oden, so while he might not make a huge impact wherever he goes, the Grizzlies would have to feel more comfortable signing him.
