"The Trail Blazers and other NBA suitors will get a much-anticipated update this week on the health of free agent center Greg Oden when he is examined by the doctor who performed his latest knee surgery.

Oden will be examined Thursday in Vail, Colo., by noted knee specialist Dr. Richard Steadman, who along with Blazers orthopedist Dr. Don Roberts performed microfracture surgery on Oden's left knee last November.

Oden has been running for about a month, but has not been cleared for full-contact activities that would occur in an NBA practice. Training camps open Friday, as does the league's free agent signing period. Oden has been tendered a one-year, $8.9 million qualifying offer by the Blazers, giving the team the right to match offers from other free agent suitors.

How much interest Oden receives from other teams figures to be impacted by Thursday's exam. So far, Oden's agents and Blazers personnel have glowed about Oden's progress, both physically and mentally.

"All reports so far have been positive," said Bill Duffy, who serves as Oden's agent along with Mike Conley Sr. "But there is still no timetable for his return. We'll see how his medical evaluation goes." "