The Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association have officially signed Greg Oden to a one-year deal worth a reported $1.2 million. After rumors of possibly signing with the likes of the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks, Oden ultimately ended up taking his talents overseas.
The 27-year-old has battled a multitude of injuries in his seven-year career. Once a promising young center with limitless potential, Oden has mostly become known as the draft bust taken ahead of Kevin Durant. His last NBA action came in the 2013-14 season with the Miami Heat, where he struggled to stay healthy for long enough to provide any consistent play off the bench.
After years of trying to make it onto NBA rosters, this move may signal the end of Oden’s NBA career. He reportedly worked out for several teams this offseason but it seems as though he was unable to get a contract offer from any of them. However, international scouts will surely be watching to see if he has any game left and, more importantly, if he can get healthy. If he plays well, he may still have a slight future in the NBA.
