Greg Oden has not played an NBA game in three years but the former No. 1 pick will join the Miami Heat.
Oden, 25, will have a deal with the Heat which is for a minimum of two years with a player option in the second year according to ESPN.
Heat president Pat Riley began recruiting Oden before the 2012-13 season ended. It probably did not hurt the Heat’s chances to sign him considering they are coming off an NBA title.
Oden said it was a “big deciding factor” that Heat officials made it clear to him that he “wouldn’t be needed as much early in the season” as he works his way back from more than three years out of the league.
“When I had a conversation with Coach (Erik) Spoelstra and hearing how much he knew about the training stuff that I was already doing, it kind of made me feel like they know what’s best for me,” Oden said in a phone interview.
“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m 100 percent,” Oden added. “I am moving (well) and I am feeling good, but I have a lot of work to do.”
