Lamar Odom’s future in the NBA hangs in the balance this week with the Dallas Mavericks having to make a decision on what to do with the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year before June 29. The consensus has been that the Mavs will try to trade Odom in order to get something in return for the versatile forward before losing him for nothing in a buyout.
It is no secret that Odom would like to return to the Los Angeles Lakers in the form of a one or two-year deal. Unfortunately, the new CBA prohibits Odom’s return to the Lakers until Dec. 11. With that being said, chances are that he’ll be bought out by the Mavs this week for $2.4 million and sign with another team once he is officially an unrestricted free agent.
It is uncertain at this point in time the interest that Odom will get around the league after an extremely disappointing season in Dallas. Despite the meltdown with the Mavs, it appears that one team at the top of the list in terms of interest for Odom’s services are the Los Angeles Clippers according to RadarOnline.com:
“Lamar’s agent is in talks with the Clippers,” a source close to the NBA star told RadarOnline.com. “He and Khloe are thrilled that he’ll be returning to the team and that they will get to stay in LA and be close to their families.”
Back in the 1999 NBA Draft, the Clippers selected Odom out of Rhode Island with the 4th overall pick. Odom got off to an impressive start to his NBA career in Los Angeles averaging 16.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in his first season.
Even though Odom gradually became the face of the franchise for the Clippers alongside Elton Brand, Los Angeles declined to match a contract offer from the Miami Heat in 2003 and as a result Odom headed to South Beach. One year later, Odom was traded to the Lakers in the blockbuster deal for Shaquille O’Neal.
A reunion with the Clippers makes sense for both sides and with potentially limited interest in Odom during the off-season. Odom will almost certainly want to stay in Los Angeles rather than attempting to resurrect his career with another team in another city.
