This may help all understand- source NBA.com

Trail Blazers offer Greg Oden qualifying offer

Posted Jun 29 2011 7:51PM - Updated Jun 29 2011 8:45PM

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The Trail Blazers have offered former No. 1 draft pick Greg Oden an $8.8 million qualifying offer to stay in Portland.

The offer means the often-injured 7-foot center becomes a restricted free agent. The Blazers can match any other offer made for him.

Oden, 23, didn't play this past season after microfracture surgery on his left knee. He missed his rookie season in 2007-08 after microfracture surgery on his right knee. Two seasons ago he broke his left kneecap.

Because of his injuries, the former Ohio State star has played in only 82 games over parts of two seasons, averaging 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds.

"We've stood behind Greg Oden every day since he became a Trail Blazer and that continues with today's announcement," Trail Blazers President Larry Miller said in a statement. "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."

The Blazers had until Thursday night to make the qualifying offer. Before he was dismissed by the team last month, former Blazers general manager Rich Cho had long hinted that the Blazers would move to keep Oden. Cho was replaced in the interim by Chad Buchanan, the Blazers' director of college scouting.

If no other teams make offers for Oden and he stays with the Blazers, he will become an unrestricted free agent for the 2012-13 season.

In the 2009-10 season, Oden was averaging 11.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks as a starter and he was playing with an authority that had previously eluded him. But he broke his right kneecap in December of that season.

It appeared he would return last season, but in November it was announced that he would require microfracture surgery on the right knee.

After the Blazers selected Oden with the top pick in the 2007 draft, choosing him over Kevin Durant, he was hailed as the future of the franchise as it emerged from the so-called Jail-Blazers era.

But Oden's rookie season was postponed before it started when he had microfracture surgery on his left knee.

His numerous injuries have subjected him to endless comparisons to Sam Bowie, the frequently injured big man whom the Blazers infamously selected ahead of Michael Jordan in the 1984 draft.

Portland also extended a qualifying offer to Australian guard Patty Mills and exercised options on forward Luke Babbitt and guard Elliot Williams.

Mills, 22, has appeared in 74 games over two seasons in Portland, averaging 5.1 points, 0.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists. But he has also been a fan favorite, often flashing the team's trademark "3-goggles" with his hands after Portland scores a 3-pointer.

sounds like a low ball bid that you can opt out of only if another team offers more money.

depending on interest patty should definately knock it back.

ild rather have 1million a season to play good minutes than 2 million to sit on a bench, in the long run it would be better for him to get good time on court.

As I understand it, the qualifying offer just means that Portland hold Mill's rights and are able to match any other offer he receives, if they choose too.

Which means, providing the 2011/12 season actually happens, Patty will have a contract most likely woth Portland, but it could be anyone else if they make him an offer that Portland decides not to match. (This happened with Ramon Sessions a couple of years ago, where the Bucks decided not to match the contract offered him by the Timberwolves)

To clarify a bit further on what this means for Mills:

The Portland Trail Blazers announced on Wednesday that the team has extended a $1.2 million Qualifying Offer to reserve guard Patty Mills as well. The offer to Mills makes him a restricted free agent and gives the Blazers matching rights.

By extending this Qualifying Offer to Mills, he is free to explore options at other clubs, but the Trailblazers retain the right to match any offer he receives from an NBA team.

For the Blazers this is really just a flexibility play, as Mills accepting the offer means they either lock in his talent at a small cost, or can potentially use him as part of a sign-and-trade/trade scenario.

Extending the Qualifying Offer doesn't necessarily guarantee that Mills will be on the opening day roster, as Portland's backcourt is obviously crowded with new starting point guard Raymond Felton and reserves Nolan Smith and Armon Johnson all battling for minutes at the point guard position.

Paul Pierce could come and play down under in the NZNBL if the lockout goes ahead.

Yes, crazy I know!

by the way those were just fictionalized amounts, and the point was why take 2 mill to watch your career stall, when you could take 1mill and further your career which will be better when your next looking for a contract.

long term view. but yeah it wont be that huge a difference money wise. all im saying is take court time over pay right now cause it will work out in the end if he can produce on the court.