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"Yeah, so we're monitoring Greg, like all the NBA teams are, but we have not attempted to sign him," Ainge said Thursday. "But we are monitoring him and having (conversations) with his people just to see where he's at." Oden hasn't played in an NBA game since December 2009, and reportedly wouldn't return until the 2013-14 season. "I don't think (he'd be ready to play this year)," Ainge said. "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." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Danny Ainge, Greg Oden 

A. Sherrod Blakely: #Celticstalk: The rumor is true. The #Celtics did meet with Greg Oden today in Waltham. More to come on #CSNNE.com. Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

A. Sherrod Blakely: “@TAyLORMADE823: What does this mean sherrod?” Oden is a player the #Celtics are keeping an eye on for next season. #Aingedoinghisjob Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Danny Ainge, Greg Oden 

A. Sherrod Blakely: “@CityOfChampion2: why gamble again on another injury player. 1 false move then he is out 4 the rest of yr.” -Oden won't play until next yr Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

The Celtics met with free agent center Greg Oden today to discuss his potential signing. Reached a short time ago, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said the meeting was mainly an informational process for each side. "We wanted to talk to Greg to see where he is physically," Ainge said. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Danny Ainge, Greg Oden 

"We're just finding out as much as we can and letting Greg know what we have here," said Ainge. "He's not ready to play now, but he's someone who's very interesting." He added that there is nothing imminent with Oden, who is investigating his options as he tries to get his knees ready for another run at the NBA. There had been a report that Oden was not interested in the Celtics, but Ainge said, "I haven't heard that. If it was true, then why would be fly in to speak with us?" Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Danny Ainge, Greg Oden 

Former Ohio State star Greg Oden would love to play in Cleveland, his agent told The Plain Dealer on Wednesday. "The Cavs are high on his list, and they're definitely interested in him, for sure," said agent Mike Conley Sr., the father of Memphis point guard Mike Conley Jr., who played with Oden at Ohio State. "Greg is definitely interested in the Cavs. It makes a lot of sense. He's an Ohio Buckeye. He lives in Columbus. It's a place he would love to play." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

Conley also said that the team's connection to the Cleveland Clinic would be another point in their favor as his client continues to rehabilitate after multiple knee injuries cut short his career after just 82 games. "I think going into this process that the teams we will look at will have to demonstrate an ability to have those types of resources and expertise available," Conley said. "If that scenario wasn't there or not up to par, we wouldn't be talking to Cleveland. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

Mike Conley Sr., the agent for former Ohio State star Greg Oden, tells The Plain Dealer his client would love to stay in Ohio and play for the Cavaliers. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

San Antonio, New Orleans, Charlotte, Indiana and Dallas have been monitoring the rehab of Greg Oden and are in the running for his services, according to sources. ESPN.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

Oden is preparing for a return to the NBA next season, with Miami and Cleveland earlier reported as the frontrunners to land the 7-footer. Several clubs have been in touch with Oden's representatives about possibly signing him this year, according to league sources. ESPN.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

Chris Broussard: In addition 2 Heat & Cavs, San Antonio, New Orleans, Charlotte, Indiana & Dallas r interested in Greg Oden, sources say. Decision n 3-4 wks Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

Oden’s agent, Mike Conley, said in a phone interview Wednesday with FOX Sports Florida that Oden could visit Miami as soon as next week. “We haven’t set it up yet but we want to go down there and meet with (the Heat) and get to know them and vice-versa,’’ Conley said. FOXSports Florida

Miami Heat, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

The Cavaliers could offer Oden more money. And while they are are hardly championship caliber, they do benefit by being just up the road from where Oden played at Ohio State. “There’s definitely interest (in Cleveland) because obviously he’s from Ohio State and so there’s a lot of synergy there with that team,’’ Conley said of Oden, who is from Indianapolis, and the Cavaliers. “That's sort of a home-state team, so Cleveland would make sense also.’’ Regarding Boston, Conley said he could “see that definitely being a possibility’’ down the road as a destination. FOXSports Florida

Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

Former Ohio State star Greg Oden is confident he will return to the NBA after his many knee injuries, but he would not venture a guess about whether he'll wind up in Cleveland. "I'm worried about the knee," he told The Plain Dealer when asked if the Cavs could be a destination for him. "That's it." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

Asked if he was playing at all, Oden said, "I'm just getting my knee ready so when things do happen I'll be ready to play next year. "I'm still in the rehab process, but I'm it taking slow. I could possibly be playing at this point, but I've done that before and I got injured before, so I'd rather take everything I am doing slow. Right now I'm just doing strength stuff with my knees." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat have emerged as the leaders to land former No. 1 pick Greg Oden. The 7-foot Oden, who hasn't played since Dec. 5, 2009 due to multiple knee injuries, is hoping to take a visit down to Miami to meet with Pat Riley and the Heat in the next week, a source told CBSSports.com. CBSSports.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

Darren Wolfson: Surprised to hear the #Twolves have so far expressed no interest in free agent center Greg Oden. CBS has the Heat & Cavs as the favorites. Twitter @DarrenWolfson

Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Greg Oden 

Oden's camp is hoping to come to terms with a team sometime around the All-Star break in mid-February, or just after the Feb. 21 trading deadline. FOXSports Ohio

Free Agency, Greg Oden 

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge confirmed Thursday during his weekly appearance on Boston sports radio WEEI that the team is "monitoring" former Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden, but haven't made an attempt to sign the 7-footer. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Danny Ainge, Greg Oden