Greg Oden Rumors: Former No. 1 Pick Should Sign with Miami Heat

The New Orleans Pelicans are trying to swoop in to land free agent center Greg Oden, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

Stein wrote on Tuesday:

"

The Pelicans, sources said, are building their pitch around the fact that going to New Orleans would enable Oden to make his comeback far away from the media glare and with no immediate pressure to cope with as he tries again to bounce back from the knee issues that have limited the 25-year-old to just 82 career regular-season games since being drafted in 2007. 

"

Current Pelicans head coach and former Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Monty Williams is also said to be a selling point for the 25-year-old big man, according to Stein.

But as Oden ponders between the Pelicans, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks, he should choose the defending champions.

The Pelicans have done a good job with their pitch. It could sound intriguing for the injury-prone center to slowly, but surely, work his way back into the league, with the help of Williams, no less.

But, let's be real, while Oden is still just 25 years old, you can't expect him to go on to have a long NBA career given all the injuries he has sustained. He can't wait for the Pelicans to rise. He should go after a championship right now with LeBron James and company.

The Heat have been able to manage with Chris Bosh and Chris "Birdman" Andersen, but Bosh is a natural power forward. You put him at the 4 spot and alternate Andersen and Oden and you have a better chance of success.

For all the flak Bosh got last season, he registered an impressive PER of 20.1 at the center position. So he is certainly capable of manning the 5 spot. But in 2011-12, he did post a better PER at power forward than center, via 82games.com. 

If Oden joins the Heat, it's an even more imposing team than the one that has won back-to-back championships. The 7'0", 285-pounder ranked fifth in total rebound rate among all centers who averaged at least 20 minutes per game in 2008-09, via Hoopdata.com. He ranked second in the category under that criteria in 21 games with the Trail Blazers in 2009-10. He has also averaged 1.4 blocks in 22.1 minutes per game during his career.

You pair Oden up with Andersen, who has averaged 1.6 blocks in 17.6 minutes per game during his career, and you have a two-headed monster if Oden can stay healthy.

And for those worried about Oden's minutes leading to yet another injury, the Heat don't have to play him that much. You still play Bosh at center, just not as much.

Oden would give the Heat that big body they need. LeBron James is the biggest guy on that roster at 250 pounds. Add Oden and you have the option to post a 285-pounder against the big boys in the league.

While it may seem nice for Oden to gradually work his way back away from the harsh glare of the media, let's be honest, Oden is too talented to wait around for the Pelicans to rise. And, honestly, I don't think Oden cares about the spotlight. It has surrounded him throughout his career, even when he has been out of action. I'm pretty sure the big man can take it.

Yes, you can't expect Oden to produce at the level he did in his first two seasons in the league, but he can still be a serviceable backup for the Heat as they chase a third straight title.

Oden deserves a championship as much as anyone after all that he has been through. The Heat give him his best chance to capture his first title.