Greg Oden has decided he doesn't want to sit out the entire 12-13 NBA season as he previously stated in an May interview.

Oden called his agent Mike Conley and that he wants to play.

“(Oden) called me, and he was kind of excited,’’ Conley said Thursday. “I think he’s motivated …. He wants to play. He had said he wanted to take this season off, but he’s backed off from that …. He’s open to playing this season. I think he will play this season.’’

Oden has had five surgeries on his knees since entering the NBA.

“He’s starting to work out,’’ Conley said of Oden, who was recently cleared for workouts, feeling better about his situation. “He’s excited. You can tell he’s getting antsy. At the end of the day, I want him to finish out his NBA career. He’s still pretty young (24).’’

Conley said he has not heard from the Miami Heat at all since Oden was waived. But he said Oden has interest in the Heat if they ever were to be interested.
 
“Obviously, if the Heat wanted him, who wouldn’t want to play for the Heat?’’ Conley said of the defending champions. “That goes without saying. They have roster spots and a need (at center). But it’s too early to say about where he might play.’’

Conley expects Oden to find a contract.

“He’s going to sign somewhere,’’ Conley said. “He’s going to get healthy and be coming back.’’