HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS – That standing ovation Lamar Odom received when he made his return to Staples Center with the Mavericks is the last one he’ll receive in the league this season.
Odom and the Mavericks have parted ways just weeks before the start of the playoffs, ending a season-long odyssey for both the reigning world champions and Odom, whose last meaningful NBA minutes were played in a Lakers uniform last season when the Mavericks swept them out of the playoffs.
Odom is done for the season with the Mavericks or anyone else. He is ineligible to participate in the playoffs with another team, since he wasn’t waived before the March 23 deadline, per ESPN.com’s Marc Stein:
The Mavericks and Odom spent Easter Sunday working out a parting, according to sources close to the situation, that frees the struggling Odom to leave the team immediately without actually being released.
“The Mavericks and I have mutually agreed that it’s in the best interest of both parties for me to step away from the team,” Odom said in a statement to ESPN.com. “I’m sorry that things didn’t work out better for both of us, but I wish the Mavs’ organization, my teammates and Dallas fans nothing but continued success in the defense of their championship.”
Sources said Monday that Odom’s departure will be immediate and that the Mavericks intend to simply list him as inactive for the rest of the season instead of outright releasing him, leaving open the possibility that they could still trade him after the season in conjunction with the draft. Any team that has Odom on its roster as of June 29 must buy him out by that date for $2.4 million or otherwise accept responsibility for the full $8.2 million that Odom is scheduled to earn in 2012-13.
Even if either side had pushed for a formal release, there is little upside to taking that step now with Odom ineligible to play in the playoffs with another team because he wasn’t waived before the March 23 deadline. One source close to the 32-year-old told ESPN.com that the decision sets Odom up to “clear his head and start getting ready for next season” after his career-low numbers and minutes continued to dip as the season wore on.
You had to know this season wouldn’t end well for Odom when he demanded the Lakers trade him, an irrational reaction to the reality that he wasn’t going to be a Laker for the rest of his career after learning that they were trying to move him during training camp so they could acquire Chris Paul.
The Mavericks (owner Mark Cuban and coach Rick Carlisle, specifically) deserve credit for doing any and everything in their power to make Odom feel welcome. But the fact is, he never wanted to leave Los Angeles and was never going to be fully committed to the change.
It’s better to end it this way than to keep on going in the same dysfunctional manner they had been for weeks.
I don’t find any reason to fan Lamar after this year, his reactions looked unprofessional. There was a contract to honor and he didn’t seem to put all his effort to accomplish his part, either with Lakers nor Mavericks. I hope that he prepares well for next season, especially in the “clearing his head” part. How can an eight million per year contract not rise a full commitment. Apparently the only team where he could play is Clippers…
Odom gambled and lost. He didnt play his cards right. He needs to grow up!
I think you are totally right
This is another Lakers failure…the disloyalty of the management to the players and the abuse by the money and politics system brings another example on ruining a players career like Odom..maybe Fisher would be next..Fakers!!!
I knew this would happen with Odom, Fisher I don’t think so, he is too professional on and off the court.
THERE GOES PRIX AGAIN SAYING SOMETHING STUPID ..YEA LAKERS FRONT OFFICE RUINS PLAYERS CAREER..BEFORE THE SEASON EVEN STARTED WITH THE LAKERS THERE WERE RUMORS SAYING THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE YEAR OFF BECAUSE OF THE PERSONAL ISSUES HE FACED IN SUMMER(LOST A COUSIN THEN WAS IN A CAR IN NY THAT KILLED A KID)..JUST WISH ODOM THE BEST AND COME BACK STRONG NEXT YEAR..EVERYONE AWLAYS HATES THE BEST ..PRIX STOP HATING LIFE IS TO SHORT ..U CANT GO THRU LIFE STUPID
Sorry kobe, but I have to say that it didn’t seem to affect his TV show did it… maybe if you are getting paid millions you shouldn’t have a “side project” going on
You realize this is someone’s job? Lamar Odom has made millions. I respect him as a man, but I do not like him as a player.
I feel a little sorry for odom, lakers just got rid of him, and now he finds himself in a situation where he has no team for the rest of the season… would have loved him to land in boston,
wish him luck
You feel sorry for someone who gets paid 8M+ , whether he plays or not play. This guy only played 5-10 minutes with fire the entire time he was with the Mavs, gets paid millions and you feel sorry for him Geez, I feel sorry for you man.
I feel sorry for YOU… Money is not everything in life.
And you really have no idea on the context of the argument. Next time before you jump in, read the thread first, but I really can’t blame you if you lack comprehension skills – and that I would feel sorry for you.
baby come back!…los angeles is waiting and missed you…..
^ Stop in OKC and pick up Fish
Eehm doesn’t that qualify as “breaking news” of some kind? After all, this doesn’t happen often, it doesn’t happen for the defending champs often, and Odom is all but an unknown player.
They don’t know how to post breaking news for anyone except Jeremy Lin.
BREAKING NEWS! Jeremy Lin to learn the guitar!!!
So LO might return to LA in the off-season…
Back in a Laker uniform next season? Who knows…
This makes him look very immature, and even worse, insecure as an Athlete or maybe a man. I wouldn’t waste a dollar on him. It seems like he’s more of a Kardashian than an NBA Player. Insecure, spoiled, immature, moody….definitely belongs in Hollywood, definitely belongs with the kardashians.
stupid!!!
the TEAM and ODOM side’s are BOTH AGREED IN THIS DEAL MORON!!!!!!
LOL Your the moron. I’m pretty sure the ONLY reason why the Mavs agreed was because of his poor play. Why give someone 8+ mil a year playing like this? And knowing Odom, his poor play was probably intentional just so this could happen. He is from the Lakers of course. Bunch of spoiled drama queens. Kobe has been one, Gasol turned into one after he got there, Bynum turned into one last year, not to mention many others. I just hope Sessions doesn’t turn like any of them.
Obviously they have to agree! He just stated that he didn’t want to even play for that ball club. Therefore, not putting his full effort on the court. Dallas is not going to waste money on players that are not going to perform. So you’re the stupid one?
Well said jatee!
The minute Laram marry that bitch his like turned around. Your wife is the problem buddy.
he should just doing is tv show with is girlfriend that’s more is style lol. Dallas is probably happy they at least gonna save 8.2 million
We still have to pay him
I really hope he gets traded to the Bobcats before the start of the next season. That will at least give a little justice back to the Mavs.
Why is Charlotte all of the sudden the dumpster of the NBA?
Lets see if Kobe’s wish to reunite Fish and Odom comes true…
So he wanted to leave the lakers but really didnt want to leave? He’s really a Kardashin now
Finally ! I would rather play Cardinal or Yi and still lose than play a very dininterested Odom !
Good riddance!
LO is just another pupet like Fisher that do things to benefit LA, they are LA’s pupet. If you remember Fisher, he did that to JAZZ and returned to LA.
On July 2, 2007, Fisher asked the Jazz to release him from his contract. The Jazz honored his request.
After much speculation, on July 19, 2007, Fisher officially rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers by signing a three-year contract worth roughly $14 million. He had given up roughly $8 million over three years, as he was due about $22 million over the next three years in his prior contract with the Jazz. Jazz owner Larry Miller noted that it did look funny that Fisher signed with the Lakers, but he did not believe Fisher or Lakers owner Jerry Buss would do anything underhanded. Jazz fans have taunted him, suspecting that he simply wanted to return to the Lakers.
On December 11, 2011, Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for a first-round draft pick and an $8.9 million trade exception
Watch them go back to LA next year. LA’s pupets.
well said!
He went back to LA to get treatment for his sick daughter.. That was the best place for him and his family. There are no “puppets”, only very uneducated people who make incredibly ridiculous statements.
That’s a great plan, I loved Odom coming of the bench to shut down his opponents.
your stupidd! and who cares they both were amazing players in LA. you have no idea whats going on in fishers life! and both helped LA bring 2 back to back championships so stfu!
I never thought I’d see the day when Meta World Peace seems like a more calm and rational person than Lamar Odom. These people are PROFESSIONAL athletes. It’s not a high school popularity contest that comes with hurt feelings. You are paid to play professionally and if you can’t then you should drop down to playing rec ball at the YMCA where at least there you are allowed to have hurt feelings if you are picked last for your team.
I’m sure there’s a lot of D-Leaguers that would jump at the chance of even a half-million $ contract – let alone the millions / season most these guys get. It’s a disgrace that they some just can’t keep their personal lives separate from their professional lives. If Odom was having such crisis with his personal life, he should have just taken a year away from the spotlight of pro’ sport to get his head back in the right space. Hate to sound cold, but as it stands, he just wasted the Mavericks time and left L.A. shaking their heads as to what was going on to begin with (before the season started proper). I’m done with this story.
New York Knicks please sign Odom
Sure, we’ll even take an ailing Stoudemire for Odom.
Ditto Hi, Good Friggin Riddance..
Odom is returning back to the lakers. Kobe wants him back and so does the lakers management. He was traded because we wanted to be traded. Odom I welcome you back to the lakers!
Lakers trade Christian Eyenga, Jordan Hill, Troy Murphy, make space for odom because here he comes.
lovebasketballs
April 9, 2012 at 12:09 pm
LO is just another pupet like Fisher that do things to benefit LA, they are LA’s pupet. If you remember Fisher, he did that to JAZZ and returned to LA.
On July 2, 2007, Fisher asked the Jazz to release him from his contract. The Jazz honored his request.
After much speculation, on July 19, 2007, Fisher officially rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers by signing a three-year contract worth roughly $14 million. He had given up roughly $8 million over three years, as he was due about $22 million over the next three years in his prior contract with the Jazz. Jazz owner Larry Miller noted that it did look funny that Fisher signed with the Lakers, but he did not believe Fisher or Lakers owner Jerry Buss would do anything underhanded. Jazz fans have taunted him, suspecting that he simply wanted to return to the Lakers.
On December 11, 2011, Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for a first-round draft pick and an $8.9 million trade exception
Watch them go back to LA next year. LA’s pupets.
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Never thought about it like that
like they said hes a very emotional guy and maybe he still hasnt got in over that hes a maverick and not a laker… maybe its still lingering in his head and to distracted to play up to his ability… best of luck odom, hope to see u back next yr if thats possible
odom ask for the trade he could have still been a laker now he knows that it is nothing personal when the deal with chris paul fell apart he should have just dealt with it.
Lamar Odom is a player, he can not fit in everywhere. He was a perfect with LA. Its his choice we are just critics that have to place inputs, we just can not only watch the game
Odom is A great player.. That’s all I can say.. Dallas did not give him a chance to prove what he can do. Odom play to the Boston Celtics, then prove to them that they are wrong.
If it will take him more than a full season to show what he can do, then your team can have him, we don’t give a s**t. Or maybe you never really watched him ‘play’ with the mavs and saw the kind of patience was given to him by the organization.
Mavericks are S*** ;D
Odom to LA… Clippers!
Odom to Celtics!This really comes down to the Laker’s management problems,and Odom’s immaturity.If he gets traded,he gets traded!He would be better fit in The Big Apple tough,backing up ‘Melo
though*
Miami Heat still needs a big man. I bet he’d be a perfect fit.
ODOM IS NOT A BIG MAN..MOSLTY PLAYS ON PREMITER..HEAT NEED SOME BIG INSIDE..
The next Antoine walker
I’m sure odom will return next season as a good sixth man and hopefully can be a factor in the playoffs
I would not want to go from being a Lakers to being on the Mavericks, with Mark Cuban sitting right there telling the coach when to call time out and who to take out, who to put in,yelling at the refs everytime his team did not make a basket. so everytime he wanted a foul, if you watch some Dallas games he is just right there telling the coach what to do half the time I know hes the owner but DAMN dude, I would wanna leave that team too. Jason Terry wants to go to Miami, Dirk is Dirk, Jason Kidd is old, still doing things for that team but his knees are getting too weak. He just didn’t fit in with that team, I agree that he is a PRO, but yes he did not play or act professional with the Mavericks. Some things just are not meant to be. I mean what team would you rather play for Lakers or Mavericks? Mavericks right now don’t even look like they have any chemistry. I would be sad as hell too if I was on that Dallas team :\
“O dom” in portuguese means “The gift” as in the gifted one, so my friend Lamar, you got a great gift of playing great ball, but things didnt go right after all with the Mavericks.
Odom went through a lot this season, he had lots of off court problems dealing with tough situations, accidents, and the chirs paul trade. Seeing that Gasol was part of the trade and is still a Laker might be hurting him too.
Truth is that management wanted to get rid of money in the trade, gasol makes 17 mil, odom 8 mil, thats 25, they’d be paying Chris Paul roughly 20 mil, they’d be saving 5 mil net money, a total of 10 mil in the taxes. Now Lakers management has inverted the deal with Odom, he will have to play for a lot less if he wants to be a Laker this season, the Lakers will take him, but for the salary of McRoberts
clearly this effected Odom psychologically. He just couldn’t be the same player for the Mavericks that they thought they’d get watching him play for the Lakers. So this was the right thing for both parties…
Big LAL Fan. The dallas made a mistake about getting odom and Lakers are really good management people are sayin that oh why did they trade odom!!! For me its a good move by the lakers. Lakers management are really good at this. Lamar has a reality show and is in the NBA You can’t play for the NBA and fool around at the same time!! (esp with the kardashians)
Lamar! Come back to LA for the 2013 season! (;
as a Lakers fan…i just love him…he help us with Championships and year after year play-off runs…also some turmoil down the lane, the expectation for him was so high…like being a Robin to Kobe’s Batman, but it never happen…Gasol was the Robin…Odom became Alfred…anyway, he is not a headcase like Bynum..it’s just that with his length and skill, it never really evolves to the potential that a lot of people expect. If he can get his act together, love to see him in Lakers bench again.
They are also expecting Dwill and Dwight to go to Dallas…. that wont happen Dwill and Jkidd are just superstars, Dwight can go there but I dont think he’;ll take that chance to go there.
Odom will be back to the lakers next year and i hope fisher too, and they will take annother run to 6th title!
The Clippers are #1 on his list. Or wait the Dodgers could use some help.
I think that the lakers had made a wrong decision of trading odom! why because of the dream of rebuilding a team which does not have a CHANCE to rise again? yeah paul and the clippers worked out but in terms of odom! FAKERS!!!
LAKERS ARE SORRY….. CLIPPERS WILL WIN TITLE FOR LA LOLOL!!!!!!!!!!
Clips will exit the first round.
LO is really unprofessional…. he just wants to play in LA……
This is a sad story for this young man because apparently he’s searching for peace regarding something that’s going on in his life that’s larger then the game of basketball. Whether it’s him searching for peace in his marriage or for understanding regarding the death of his relative; I belief it was a cousin, as well as another incident that resulted in the death of another person. Hopefully this time away from the game will allow him the time to be able to get things right mentally.