NEW YORK — Greg Oden will become the first No. 1 overall pick since Kwame Brown not to receive a contract extension.
The Oregonian reported Friday that the Blazers and Oden’s representatives agreed there would be no extension, making the oft-injured center the first top pick since Brown not to get one at the end of his rookie contract. Teams have until Monday to reach deals with first-round picks from the 2007 draft.
“I don’t read it,” Portland coach Nate McMillan said before Saturday’s Blazers-Knicks game. “I don’t hear it. I don’t even think about it. We’re focused on basketball. [Blazers GM] Rich Cho will handle contract situations. Greg is focused just trying to get himself back on the court.”
Oden has played in only 82 games since he was picked ahead of Kevin Durant. He has been sidelined since fracturing his left patella last Dec. 5.
“Every day he seems to get better, both he and Joel [Pryzbilla, right knee],” McMillan said. “We haven’t put a time-frame on the return of Joel or Greg.”
Oden will be a restricted free agent next summer and the Blazers will be able to match any offers for him.
(The AP contributed)
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fearthephog25 / October 31, 2010
What a bust!! Anyone would be a fool to offer Oden any contract more than a year. First Michael Jordan than Kevin Durant were significant losses, Portland is cursed. Blazers should of gone after Dexter Pittman in the draft, instead of all guards. Shoot, even Patrick Ewing Jr. was just recently waived, instead they get some no name cheap guy.
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