Oden will sign with the Dragons for a reported one-year, $1.2 million contract, Real GM reported earlier this week.
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Oden, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft out of Ohio State, has never been able to get his feet under him in the NBA because of nagging knee injuries. He was waived from the Trail Blazers in 2012 after undergoing his third micro-fracture surgery. After a year of free agency, Oden signed with the Heat, who went on to fall in the 2014 NBA Finals to the Spurs.
The Heat declined to bring Oden back after he averaged 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in 23 games. That summer he was arrested on charges of felony and misdemeanor battery for allegedly punching his ex-girlfriend in the face. He reached a plea deal in February, pleading guilty to battery with moderate bodily injury. The other charges were dismissed. In addition to being fined $200, he was ordered to complete Alcoholics Anonymous classes and 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling. He was also put on probation for 909 days.
Oden attempted a comeback, working out extensively with Ohio State coach Thad Matta, and drew interest from the Hornets and Mavericks.
