There is no doubt that when Lamar Odom was with the Los Angeles Lakers, he was playing the best basketball of his career. After a failed stint with the Dallas Mavericks and a semi-successful run with the Los Angeles Clippers, could the big man make a return to the purple and gold? With the departure of Dwight Howard, the Lakers have some reforming to do with their current roster. Part of that could mean the return of Odom to the lineup.
The Los Angeles Times reports the Lakers have in fact reached out to Odom to determine what his level of interest is in returning to the team. At 33, Odom made $8.2 million with the Clippers. He might be willing to take a pay cut to return to the Lakers, signing a midlevel exception of $3.2 million. The Lakers are in search of players that will bring talent while being willing to take minimum salaries.
Los Angeles is currently in a big financial crunch with eight players containing contracts that total up to $77 million. They are not looking to take on any more long-term deals in order to make a real run during free agency next summer and Odom would fit the picture.
Odom and the Lakers endured a bitter breakup, but they are in need of replacing both Howard and backup center Earl Clark who signed on with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Odom was certainly productive in Los Angeles. He won the NBA's Sixth Man award, helping bring the team two NBA Championships. He appeared to lose form after departing Los Angeles. His time with Dallas would rather be forgotten. Last season with the Clippers, he averaged four points and 5.9 rebounds. He is now a free agent once again.
In 2011 with Los Angeles, Odom averaged 14.4 points and 8.7 rebounds on 53 percent shooting. The Lakers would certainly welcome that Odom back with open arms. The big man was vocal about his displeasure of getting traded to Dallas. Pairing that with the NBA lockout and Odom fell apart. He appeared in all 82 games with the Clippers, slowly regaining form. A return back to the Lakers could be what he needs to re-define his skill set. Time is not on Odom's side, but agreeing to the veteran's minimum might be enough to land him back with the Lakers.
