Mystery still clouds Oden's Blazer status

Greg has my full support and I don't think he's done anything wrong. The Blazers are the ones keeping secrets here. Why they don't come clean about Oden's injury is beyond my comprehension.

 

I must be in the minority, but I couldn't give two shits about any of that stuff.

 

One possible explanation: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/srsummary.html

 

The NBA is exempt from HIPAA laws.

 

I still think the most sensible explanation is that he has decided he would like to start over somewhere else and has informed the Blazers of that. His agent feels he only has one contract left in him so they want it to be a good one. They feel the best way to get that is to rehab as long as possible, then have him play a little bit at the end of the season to show his potential. In exchange for their collaboration, the Blazers asked to pay a lower salary this year and also perhaps got an agreement from Oden that he would be amenable to a sign and trade so that at least the Blazers could get something out of this. Oden is not commenting in public because he doesn't want to have to lie about the situation. It is even possible that he attends games only so he will be seen as a "team player" to increase his contract value.
I am not condemning Oden in the least for this strategy; he should do what is possible to maximize his income for life; and if he doesn't feel he can be happy in Portland, he should move on; that would be in the best interest of everyone.

 

Horseshit!! So you're saying Greg needs to rehab long enough to go burn another franchise for 20 mill? GREED IS GOOD!!!! I guess he couldn't live on the first 20 mill right? He has to worry about his finances and all? HAHHA! What a laugher!

If I was any other team he goes to, I'd have a performance clause in his contract that says, "Greg Odens salary is void unless he plays a minimum of 40 games a year." Etched in stone!!!

 

actually I would condemn Oden for this sttategy if it was at all true, and the Blazer agreeing to this is BS IMO. He's gotten paid over 20 mill dollars, if the docs say he can play then IMO his ass should be on the court playing - period! If he leaves after this summer fine, but play if you are able!

 

Possible, but you have to admit that what you're saying is based upon sheer conjecture. It's equally plausible that the Blazers want to retain the right to offer Greg the sweetest deal next summer should he show that he's worth it.

 

Blah, blah, blah...I'm going to get really angry about a hypothetical situation that may have no basis in reality.

 

And there's absolutely no reason to believe that it is true. People are just making stuff up and throwing it at the wall to see if it sticks.

 

IF GO feels he owes nothing to Ptown for all the support and money he's been given over four years for doing next to nothing, then his character and class has been clearly shown. It's in his court, at his age he knows right from wrong and this offseason will define him not only as a basketball player but more importantly a human being!

 

I'm a big fan of Oden, and hope he can get healthy and contribute on the court.

But in the offseason the team is going to have to look at bringing in a stud free agent like Deron Williams. If we have to renounce Oden to do that deal then it’s in the best interest of the franchise. I hope Oden considers renewing a contract with us, but if we are going to consider going in a different direction then I don't think it’s fair to expect him to have more loyalty then we show toward him. If we are willing to pay him as much as another city then I hope he considers staying here. But if he is really homesick and depressed I can understand him evaluating other options and making sure it’s a good fit. If he doesn’t want to be in Portland I don’t want him here. If he wants to bounce back from the injuries here I would love to have him stay with the team. All I want is for him to give us serious consideration for returning, and if it isn't in the best interest of him or the team then fine both parties can go in a different direction.

He has been in Portland for 5 years, ever since he was a 19 year old. That’s what, over 20% of his life? And it’s been an absolute disaster. He was very social and talkative and public his first few years of rehab. He had his own radio show and commented all the time on his rehab and talked with the media. Just as Brandon right now is too emotional to have any public appearances I think Oden is just sad from his injuries and is sick of talking about them in public. If he gets healthy and is playing for a few weeks there would be a drastic chance in his demeanor and he would be commenting to the media and interacting with fans all the time.

 

This year Oden effectively has a no trade clause. He has to approve any trade because he will lose his bird rights.

 

A moral issue? You really think this is about "right and wrong?" Wow.

 

I don't think that this is correct. If he's traded, his bird rights go to his new team.

 

No, I'm pretty sure Draco is right assuming Oden signed the QO. The problem is, he signed a restructured contract. We don't know the details about that.

 

You'd assume Brass would make sure they hold the Bird Rights; since it's the only advantage they have. But I wonder if a "sign and trade" would be another advantage? Meaning... If a team wants to offer a longer term "Bird Right Deal"; then we could get something in return?

 

Oden might never again wear a Trail Blazer uniform. The odds of him re-signing with Portland seem as slim as the big guy remaining injury-free the rest of his career. That’s a discomforting thought for the team’s followers, not to mention members of its front office.

“Nobody knows how this is going to play out for Greg,” Buchanan says. “We’re hoping he’ll be able to return and play at some point. We know there’s the potential that he won’t.”

 

We still have his bird rights, its just if he is traded right now the team who acquires him wouldn't have his bird rights. We can still sign and trade him in the offseason. At least thats how it was under the previous CBA for players who signed a 1 year QO. That is how Devon George was initially able to block the Jason Kidd trade.

Now as B-Roy states I'm not certain if the new CBA or the restructed 1 year contract impact this, but from everything I have read it appears Oden does have the right to refuse any trade involving him that we make this season.

 

Ahhhh okay we are talking about trading him this season? Okay I didn't read back that far. My mistake.