Once Lamar Odom officially became a free agent earlier this month, the Los Angeles Lakers reached out to the two-time NBA champion to gauge his interest in returning to the team for a considerable discount. Odom sat down with GM Mitch Kupchak to smooth things over due to the ugly divorce a few years ago and the meeting reportedly went well.
Ever since Odom had the meeting with Kupchak, it’s been all quiet in terms of the veteran’s intentions in free agency. Odom doesn’t seem to be willing to sign with a team outside of Los Angeles narrowing down his options to the Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.
After a few weeks of no news concerning Odom’s status, it appears that Odom is finally warming up to the idea of returning to the Lakers, but the team isn’t so sure what he’ll be bringing to the table according to Kevin Ding of the OC Register via Twitter:
Hearing @RealLamarOdom might be coming around to joining Lakers, but Lakers not sold on what he can give them. So, still unlikely.
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) July 26, 2013
Once Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks following the failed Chris Paul deal, the former Sixth Man of the Year was never the same player.
Before falling apart in Dallas, Odom was considered one of the best bench players in the league. Odom had the unique ability to play multiple positions while being able to bring the ball up the floor, be a force in the paint and stretch the defense with his shooting touch from outside.
After a dreadful season in Dallas and a somewhat disappointing showing with the Clippers last season, Odom is on the downside of his career without much left in the tank. A reunion with the Lakers might be exactly what’s needed to rejuvenate the veteran’s career in the league, but the team appears reluctant to make it happen.
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