Dec 16, 2011; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trailblazers center Greg Oden (52) poses for a photo during media day at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Oden isn’t slated for a return to the NBA when he joins this summer’s free agency class. The former #1 pick hasn’t played in the NBA for two seasons because of a career taht was plagued with injuries.

Oden took these two years off to get helathy and is ready to give it another shot by coming into this free agency class. Its a really smart decision by him because it gives him more time to recover and work out to assure that he’ll be 100% upon his return to the NBA.

According to Shaun Powell, Oden’s agent, Mike Conley Sr., said that he will not choose his team until the summer time. Three teams are in contention: The Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Oden wouldn’t cost too much for Boston. They’d likely be able to sign him to a one year deal for the veteran minimum. It would be a low risk-high reward deal. I completely back them being in the Greg Oden sweepstakes.

If Oden can be productive, he can serve as the proficient pick and roll diver that he was in Portland and Ohio State. That’s just another dynamic that would be brought to the Celtics offense.

Dec 16, 2011; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trailblazers center Greg Oden (52) poses for a photo during media day at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

Today, former number one pick overall in the 2007 NBA draft and center from Ohio State, Greg Oden met with Danny Ainge at the Celtics practice facility. This meeting comes a week after the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers were heavy favorites to sign the seven footer. With Jared Sullinger, another former Buckeye, out for the season, the Boston Celtics are now in the market for a big man, and Greg Oden might be a target.

According to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, nothing is imminent and it was just an opportunity for Ainge to sit down with Oden and discuss what Boston can offer him. Contrary to earlier reports a week ago, Oden is interested in coming to Boston, and Ainge is just weighing his options when it comes to free agency. Bulpett wrote in his article that Oden isn’t fully ready to make a return to the NBA as he is still trying to get his legs at full strength.

At this point, signing Oden would be worth the shot. The Celtics obviously wouldn’t offer him a big contract, so for Boston Oden could be a low risk, high reward acquisition. There aren’t a lot of options out there when it comes to signing a big man. Kenyon Martin is available, but earlier in the season he was rumored to join up with former teammates Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith in New York.

As a Celtics fan, this is great news, whether Oden signs with Boston or not. This meeting is also an indication that Boston is looking to add another big man, and with the injuries they’ve endured so far, they’ll have to sign someone to preserve Kevin Garnett’s legs.

In other free agency related news, former Celtics guard Delonte West has opted out of his D-League contract. With West available, it’s possible that Danny Ainge may reach out and try signing him. Boston is in need of a point guard, and Delonte is in need of a team. If the Celtics could sign both players the roster would be complete and they can make another run at Banner 18. It’s going to be interesting to see what Ainge does as February 21st inches closer.

“Yeah, so we’re monitoring Greg, like all the NBA teams are, but we have not attempted to sign him.  But we are monitoring him and having (conversations) with his people just to see where he’s at….I don’t think (he’d be ready to play this year).  I don’t know any of that for sure, but I would suspect that anybody that would sign him would have their eyes looking more towards his contribution in the future than now.”  -Danny Ainge to ESPN Boston

Danny Ainge hinted that the Celtics are keeping an eye on Greg Oden, but further indicated that not everyone expects him to be back this year.

Dec 16, 2011; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trailblazers center Greg Oden (52) poses for a photo during media day at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

The reasons to keep an eye on Oden are pretty clear cut:  he is a former No. 1 overall pick, best big man since Dwight Howard in a draft…with a fraction of the health.  Oden hasn’t played in an NBA game since December of 2009.

He did show tremendous strides when healthy in Portland. He posted 11.1 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per contest, as well as 2.3 blocks per game, in just under 24 minutes a night.  His per-36 were eye opening:  16.7 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks.

Oden showed beastly potential.

But many suspect Oden suffers from a form of giantism, which inhibits his less strong bones to remain healthy.  It’s certainly proven to be symptomatic, if nothing else, as micro-stress fractures would only indicate the bones are not strong enough to support the frame.

Can Oden return and become a top center?  Is that too much of a long-shot?

Not if he returns to full health.  An able bodied and presumably still somewhat athletic 7-footer has immense value in the league.  Even a slowed one is better than playing a power forward at center, as having a legit force in the paint that can change shots can greatly impact a team.

Change shots Oden did.  Even when playing with an injured hand at Ohio State, he still was a game changing defensive player, and that level of dominance may some day take stage in the NBA again.

And maybe in Celtics green.