NBA Rumors: Signing Greg Oden Would Drastically Improve Miami Heat

Integrating a big man into the rotation is exactly what LeBron James and his Miami Heat need. Soon enough the call might be answered.

According to ESPN's NBA Rumor Central, the Heat are after free-agent center Greg Oden. The former Trailblazer has had little chance to prove himself in his years in the league, as he has suffered from injury for the majority of them.

It is a tough situation for both the Heat and Oden.

Oden is being offered $8.9 million by the Portland Trail Blazers, and as a result the Heat are not necessarily the most tempting in the money department. The Heat have little no cap space, and can only offer Oden anywhere from $3 million to $5 million.

Given Oden is a young talent seeking solid money in his first free agency period of his career, the Trailblazers certainly have to have the more tempting offer on the table for the big fellah.

Not to mention, Oden would be looking at significant playing time this season as he is now healthy and ready to prove himself.

The Trail Blazers undoubtedly are playoff contenders, yet are anything but NBA championship contenders. Giving up the money in Portland might be difficult for Oden. However, it's the Heat, not the Blazers, that have as good a chance as any team in basketball to win an NBA championship title.

The Heat benefit significantly picking up a big man with the type of skills that Oden brings to the table. If there's one department where the Heat have lacked significantly, it is their presence in the paint on both ends of the floor.

With Joel Anthony and Chris Bosh being two of the team's bigger threats inside on both ends, there will only be problems for the Heat going forward.

Offensively, Bosh is a solid scoring threat but has a tendency to catch the ball anywhere from 15 to 20 feet away from the basket. The all-star power forward much prefers to take an open jumper than back down a defender, which is a big reason why the team has trouble getting rebounds on offense.

Defensively, the Heat allow the sixth-fewest points in the league, yet are fueled by the defense of the back-court. As far as the front-court goes, Bosh is easily one of the softer defenders at the power forward position in the NBA.

Adding Oden only helps the team in this regard.

These Heat are missing a skill player at the center position, as the Dallas Mavericks were able to take advantage of this matchup in the 2011 NBA Finals. Expect the Heat to really go after Oden in the coming days, as the team needs a presence down low.

Adding the big man to the mix can only help the Heat's chances, as they are looking for that missing piece to complete their roster.