The Lakers currently have the best bench in the NBA, ranking first in scoring, rebounds, assists, offensive efficiency, and second in defensive efficiency. Now imagine what could happen if one of the Lakers most talented bench players of all-time joined that group.
According to Marc Stein and Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN LA, the Lakers would consider bringing Lamar Odom back if he can prove that all of his personal issues are behind him. The Los Angeles Clippers are also believed to be considering bringing back Odom.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Clippers and Lakers — who both registered interest in signing Odom this past summer until his private life became a near-daily subject for the tabloid media — will have renewed interest in the 33-year-old if he indeed makes a comeback this season.
Odom recently began training again with an eye toward making a return to the floor during the second half of the season, sources have said.
During this offseason, Odom’s personal life was the subject of every news outlet and tabloid. Odom went missing for more than 72 hours and was alleged to have been using crack. Despite these issues, many believed that the Lakers had offered Odom a roster spot in the offseason.
Neither the Lakers or Clippers have contacted Odom recently other than to check on his mental well being, but Odom has begun working out in hopes of returning to the NBA around the midpoint of the season. Of course, if the former Sixth Man of the Year was to return it would be in Los Angeles where he has had the most success.
The Lakers are currently carrying 15 players on the roster so they would have to release someone to make room for Odom if they were to bring him back. Shawne Williams, Ryan Kelly, Xavier Henry, and Elias Harris are all signed to partially or non-guaranteed contracts and would be the most likely to be cut if needed.
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Wednesday Night’s Player Of The Game Was Steve Blake
