It is not surprising, but it is now official: The Trail Blazers have extended an $8.8 million qualifying offer to center Greg Oden.
The offer makes the 23-year-old a restricted free agent, which allows the Blazers to match offers from other teams.
Portland had until 9 p.m. Thursday to extend the qualifying offer.
“We’ve stood behind Greg Oden every day since he became a Trail Blazer and that continues with today’s announcement,” said Trail Blazers president Larry Miller. “Despite the setbacks he’s experienced, he continues to be resilient in working tirelessly on his rehabilitation. We’re all very encouraged with not only his progress, but with his commitment and determination to return to the basketball court.”
Oden has earned $19 million in salary from the Blazers over the past four years despite playing just 82 games — the equivalent of one regular season. He was the No. 1 overall selection of the 2007 draft but did not step on the floor that year after undergoing season-ending microfracture surgery in September. He played 61 games the following season, in which he averaged 8.9 points and 7.0 rebounds, then played 21 games in the next year — averaging 11.1 points and 8.5 rebounds before suffering a season-ending left patella rupture.