NBA Free Agents 2011: Should the Miami Heat Consider Signing Greg Oden?

LeBron James and the Miami Heat will be looking to improve their team for the 2011-12 season, and they will be looking to do so on the cheap. While the Heat spent most of their extra money last season on aging veterans, perhaps they would be willing to take the chance at signing the young, but often injured, center Greg Oden.

Oden, the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers, has only played 82 games in his entire career. He has been injured, but when he plays he could be a great addition to any team. Due to his absence, he will likely be out of basketball shape. When compared to players like Jamaal Magloire and Juwan Howard, Oden presents an option with at least a lot of upside.

Oden's career is not likely going to be long, so he may want to join a squad for cheap and could win a championship. As a restricted free agent, the Heat could potentially offer Oden a minimum contract that wouldn't eat a lot of their 2011-12 payroll. If he fails, so what. If he succeeds, well then it will pay off.

The Trailblazers likely wouldn't match the offer for Oden, as he has been a waste of a spot and they likely have had enough at this point. It should be no challenge for the Heat to sign him if they want him.

A lineup of James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and a healthy Oden could be very dangerous. If that team stays healthy, they have the ability to be even more challenging then what the Heat currently present.

Adding a guy like Oden will take a lot of pressure off of Bosh. Bosh is very small for a center, but due to the age of players on the Heat, he was often needed to play down low and cover the bigger centers in the league. With Oden, Bosh could move away from that role.

It remains to be seen what Oden's status will be for the upcoming season, but if he is healthy he could present the Heat with a great option at center.