NBA - Portland Made Qualifying Contract Offer to Greg Oden

(He's still the man to us!)

The Portland Trailblazers made center Greg Oden a restricted free-agent with an $8.8 million qualifying offer in late June 2011.

From Oregon Live (before the contract offer)

"If the Blazers tender Oden, there are several ways they can retain him. They can sit back and gauge what the free agent market will be for the talented but injury-plagued 7-foot center and match any offer Oden receives. If interest is minimal, they can simply sign him to the one-year $8.8 million deal.

They can also offer and sign Oden to a multi-year contract, gambling that the player who has played in just 82 games and endured three knee surgeries during his four-year career is destined for a long and healthy return. Oden, it seems, is open to a long-term return to Portland."

- (Source - Link)

The Future - There was much speculation throughout the season about Portland's plans concerning Oden. All reports and statements from the franchise indicate that they intend to remain in his corner. With the uncertainty around Greg's health, that $8.8 million tender will be a bit of a risk for a club to take on in the post collective bargaining agreement NBA. There's currently no timetable on when G.O. will be back on the court, or when the NBA Lockout will end as well.