Trail Blazers make first step in retaining Greg Oden with qualifying offer

Greg Oden will continue to make big money in the NBA despite not playing a minute last season. The Portland Trail Blazers extended a qualifying offer to Oden Wednesday. The offer is one year offer, worth $8.8 million.

The 7-foot center becomes a restricted free agent, meaning the Trail Blazers can match any offer made by another team. Ultimately it provides Portland with the chance to keep their 2007 No. 1 pick.

Oden is entering his fifth year in the NBA, and he has yet to make it through an entire season. In his first year and fourth year, he missed all 82 games.

“We’ve stood behind Greg Oden every day since he became a Trail Blazer and that continues with today’s announcement,” said team president Larry Miller. “Despite the setbacks he’s experienced, he continues to be resilient in working tirelessly on his rehabilitation. We’re all very encouraged with not only his progress, but with his commitment and determination to return to the basketball court.”

This move is a risky for Portland, but a risk that many teams in the league will debate about making. When he entered the NBA Draft, many thought he would be next great big man since Shaquille O’Neal. Deciding between Kevin Durant and Oden, the Trail Blazers opted for Oden which now looks like an awful decision. Durant has help grow Oklahoma City from the ground up and is one of the top five players today.

Everyone in the league wants to see Greg Oden healthy and playing. Just 23 years-old, he has plenty of time to make an impact—though his body may disagree. He is averaging 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.43 blocks in his four seasons with the Trail Blazers.

At Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, teammates say he only missed one practice in his four years. Then during his freshman year at Ohio State, the rash of injuries began—most recently knee surgery in November, 2010.

Maybe he gets better and earns playing time. But after numerous injuries, most notably to his knees, cbances of him becoming the player everyone expected is slim.

With Portland making a qualifying offer, I expect Oden to return to Portland. Other teams will certainly take a look, but over $8.8 million a year is a steep price for such an unknown.

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