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Danny Ainge has admitted to a cursory interest in oft-injured center Greg Oden, but don’t hold your breath waiting for the C’s to sign Portland’s former franchise savior.  Oden is on the mend following three microfracture surgeries on that problematic right knee.  He has no plans to plan this season, even if he could, and if and when he does decide on a comeback, you can expect more than just our Celtics as suitors.

Starting with the Miami Heat.

Yeah, the Heat are keeping tabs on Oden.  Pat Riley remains in contact, the Heat stars remain friendly, and Oden himself has expressed an interest in South Beach.  Forget the fact that Oden has only played 82 games in his entire NBA career, averagin 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 22.1 minutes per game.  Miami signing a semi-healthy Oden would give them size in the middle, and it would keep the Celtics from landing a player that could help them.

And that actually might be a good thing for the Celtics.  Oden is attractive, but he also comes with the that injury cloud hanging over his head.  Ainge would be better served exploring other bigs, especially if the goal is to win sooner rather than later.