The Boston Celtics met with free-agent center Greg Oden on Saturday, according to president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.The meeting comes as the injury-riddled Oden intensifies his search for a team with the goal of returning to the NBA next season. Ainge confirmed the exploratory meeting.

The Celtics join San Antonio, New Orleans, Charlotte, Indiana and Dallas who have all been monitoring the rehab of Oden and are in the running for his services, sources told ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard earlier this week.

Oden is preparing for a return to the NBA next season, with Miami and Cleveland earlier reported as the front-runner to land the 7-footer. Several clubs have been in touch with Oden’s representatives about possibly signing him this year, according to league sources.

via Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston