Report: Lamar Odom back with Lakers
Lamar Odom will stay with the Lakers, ESPN is reporting, citing "an NBA source."
The reported terms: It's a four-year deal, with the final year being a club option. Total potential value to Odom: $33 million.
The deal could not immediately be confirmed through the Lakers, Odom or his agent, Jeff Schwartz.
Odom, who will turn 30 in November, was a key to last season's Lakers championship run. He averaged 11.3 points and 8.2 rebounds with a team-high 98 blocked shots during the regular season, and 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds during the playoffs.
Odom was also being pursued by the Miami Heat, who offered him $34 million over five years.
-- Mike Hiserman
Photo: Lamar Odom speaks at a press conference on June 18. Credit: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
*exhale*
Posted by: Joaquin | July 30, 2009 at 02:45 PM
Thats great News for the Lakers!!
Posted by: Roman A | July 30, 2009 at 02:58 PM
This is a win win situation. The Lakers had problems with their bench mob or lack of it in the playoffs. Pau Kobe, and Fish need to get their rest to prevent a burnout in the next postseason. Lamar provides a spark off the bench with his consistent double double play. In the post-season Orlando, Denver, Utah all had serious match up problems defending Lamar and it will always be an advantage that the Lakers can exploit to any team as long as Lamar is healthy (hence the Houston struggles). Spurs can't match this in the west nor the Celtics in the east.
If Lamar goes to Miami, there is no guarantee of Boozer joining him and Wade and he will only get paid at the mid-level. Going to Miami, Lamar would've came out with less money(even with the lower state tax) and wouldn't have been able to get past the 2nd round in the East. Thank god Lamar's agent wasn't half as stupid as Ariza's.
Posted by: EP | July 30, 2009 at 03:00 PM
YES!!! The news I have been waiting to hear!! I just hope it's certain. I LOVE'S me some LAMAR ODOM day and night!... YUMMMMMY!!! : ) : )
Posted by: Mimi | July 30, 2009 at 03:07 PM
All Lakers fans should be very,very happy today.
This is great to have Odom back. This moves just make our team better than last year.
I recently retired and relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. Every time the Lakers are in town wife and I will be at the game against the Suns pulling for the Lakers.
Posted by: SayNmo | July 30, 2009 at 03:38 PM
Fantastic! Best news I've heard all day long. I just could not imagine the Lakers letting Lamar Odom get away. He is such an important part of the Laker's team and like has been stated before, the positions he is able to play and the differences he is able to make which don't always translate to a point on the board, cannot be over emphasized.
Joyce Collins
La Palma, CA
Posted by: Joyce Collins | July 30, 2009 at 04:11 PM
Odom is a beast. He and Artest together on defense will free up Kobe to dominate (Lebron and others for the next 2 years) After that, Lebron is the man.
Posted by: cedrick | August 05, 2009 at 08:18 AM