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Former Portland Trail Blazers centre Greg Oden is close to signing a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers (file photo).Kevork Djansezian/The Associated Press

Greg Oden, the top pick in the 2007 NBA Draft who suffered an injury-riddled five-year stint with Portland, will be offered a contract by the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to a report Friday.

The Akron Beacon Journal newspaper, citing an unnnamed NBA source, said the struggling Cavaliers would offer the 7-foot center a two-year deal with a club option for a third after the February 21 NBA trade deadline.

The Cavaliers, 15-34 and last in the NBA Central division, are looking at how to spend payroll funds under the NBA salary cap and hope the 25-year-old American big man could pay off, despite what could be a risky gamble.

Oden was dropped by Portland last March after chronic knee injuries limited him to only 82 total games. He last played in an NBA contest on December 5, 2009.

A college star at nearby Ohio State, Oden had hoped to make a comeback next season, his agent -- former athletics star Mike Conley Snr -- told the newspaper.

Oden averaged 9,4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots a game with the Trail Blazers, but sat out three full seasons after three microfracture knee operations.

The Boston Celtics were also interested in Oden, according to the report.

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