Report: Odom, Lakers Getting Close

Lamar Odom with the championship trophy.

The one remaining piece to the Lakers' puzzle for next season is close to falling into place, according to a report from the OC Register. Lamar Odom is said to be weighing L.A.'s latest offer of more than $8 million per to re-sign with the team, and a deal could come down as early as next week.

If the terms get worked out as expected, it's great news for the Lakers, but even better news for Odom. Because for some reason, it's not like there are any other teams that have shown much interest.

The amount of years that the team offered is unknown at this point, although Odom was initially seeking a deal worth $10 million a season. The fact that the club is already over the luxury tax threshold, and will pay a dollar for dollar penalty above and beyond whatever they give Odom, means that there would have to be some compromise on his part if he wants to remain in Los Angeles.

Right now, unless Odom wants to take a sizable pay cut and go somewhere else for a team's mid-level exception, there aren't really a lot of options. Because with that kind of asking price, very few clubs are able to make things work under the salary cap.

An $8 million per year deal is more than just for a player of Odom's skill set (we're only talking Anderson Varejao money, people), but the most likely bidder for his services -- the Portland Trailblazers, who have both the need at the position and the space under the cap -- don't seem to be the slightest bit interested.

So, while Odom will likely be a couple million short of his preferred signing point, it looks like he'll get to stay in Los Angeles, and play alongside childhood friend Ron Artest, on a stacked team looking to repeat as champions. All things considered, it seems like a pretty good deal to me.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-12-2009 @ 4:11PM

Walter Stayrook said...

This is the best news a Lakers fan could hear since Artest signed up. First rate team players like LO are very scarce indeed.

7-12-2009 @ 5:09PM

FLOW said...

Although 8 milli0n ain't bad, to compare Lamar Odom with Varajeo is ridiculous, please, such Laker hate Brett. Varajeo is a joke.

7-12-2009 @ 7:59PM

dejavuxjl1985 said...

once you made that comparison with varejao, your article lost all credibility. good game you're a retard

7-12-2009 @ 8:18PM

mlp7595 said...

With the signing of Odom, next season will be a very long one for all you Laker Haters as they stomp the West, dismantle the East and size up those rings. Back to back and 5 rings for Kobe, the best player on the planet. The Queen and the Big Fat Azzzz don't even make the finals cuz Boston will be the Laker sacrifice...

7-12-2009 @ 8:31PM

vandervoorts said...

Better get this guy signed ASAP. Playing with your buddies ain't worth 2 million a year so I'm not so sure that counts for a lot. Odom could be the foundation for several clubs

7-12-2009 @ 9:51PM

acyxz said...

The only comparison made between Odom and Varejao is the amount of money they will make next season. Varejao getting 50 million over 6 years is a complete joke. And Brett is a huge Lakers fan so why would he be hating on them?
Anyway getting Odom signed should be a priority for the Lakers right. A lot of other teams are looking really good next year so Lakers are going to need Odom.

7-12-2009 @ 11:42PM

shepardtrent said...

Lakers will not win another ring for 17 years...It is the official era of the King....

7-13-2009 @ 12:25AM

FERNANDO said...

i dont think Lebron will win any championship
unleast he played for the lakers. remember its
the team name no team in the nba fear cavs they
have nothing to show nada!

7-13-2009 @ 12:29AM

Bryan said...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

you mean the era that was supposed to start last year? or they era before that?

Maybe the era WILL begin after he gets t new york

7-13-2009 @ 12:56AM

mif991 said...

Keep dreaming. Lebron will be so busy defending his reputation, he will try everything to keep his stats on top and stay as the king. it will be Celtics vs Lakers next time, although honestly I prefer the Cavs. It would be easier. By the way, even if the Lakers and Celtics don't make it (due to injuries), I expect the Nuggets, Mavs, or Spurs to beat Lebron (and his teamates).

7-13-2009 @ 1:51AM

Giles said...

The Lakers play better with Odom at forward, and Gasol at center, than with Bynum starting, and Bynum is a tad expensive to keep as a reserve. The Spurs don`t seem to have any use for Matt Bonner, but he`s tall and can hit 3s. He might end up starting for a team with weak periemter shooting up front, like Cleveland, with O`Neal and James. Or just coming off the bench for a team just needing a forward, like Dallas or Orlando. Seems Duncan, who`s been playing center anyway, Gasol, Nowitzski, and maybe undersized Stoudamire, perhaps all should be listed at center for the all star ballot next season with Ming Yao out injured.

7-13-2009 @ 2:34AM

markjsunz said...

I am sure lebron will win a title some day, for now prehaps a little more maturity is needed for him to do it next year.

7-15-2009 @ 1:23AM

Lakerz2010Champz said...

YEEESSS!!! If the lakers get this deal done theyt will definitely repeat, threepeat, even fourpeat as nba champions. Get it done now. Go LO! Go Lakerz!

7-13-2009 @ 12:04PM

theresa said...

very few pro athletes have this virtue of accepting less money & commit to winning.

If Lamar accepts Lakers offer I would really admire him.

7-13-2009 @ 3:07PM

kobesoverated said...

Come to the Spurs!!!

7-13-2009 @ 3:12PM

I agree, nothing will stop the new Cavs. The Shaq trade will prove to be brilliant

7-13-2009 @ 3:47PM

newnlkm said...

LO, stay with the Lakers, ask Dr.Buss to get a candy endorsement for you!!! or ask the Doc to supply you with all the candy you could ever want, plus Dental! The only way Labron can win a championship is if he joins the Lakers, shaq will set them back, after Miami shaq is just to old, and will never be a factor again, unless he can make 70% of his free throws.

7-13-2009 @ 5:38PM

jeramiah davison said...

lo well stay with the lakers and so is phil jackson and then lo and kobe will have anthore ring phil jackson 11th championship lets go lakers

7-13-2009 @ 7:10PM

Now that the Cavaliers have signed their "Kobe stopper", Parker, from the Raptors, as if anything but getting old could stop Kobe, and that won`t do it next season either, the Magic, Lakers, etc., need to respond. It increases the need to sign LaMar Odom and/or Allen Iverson for the Lakers, to start ahead of Bynum and/or Fisher. And most of the arguments against signing A.I. as a max salary player don`t apply if he is more like a Mid level exception player. You can`t build a winner around him, but you can, and the Lakers have, built a winner around Bryant. And Bryant no longer slashes to the hoop, like Iverson still does. He switch from more of a Julius Ervin game to more of a Reggie Miller game when he had Shaq, and hasn`t swtiched back. Phil might prefer to start Artest at guard, despite his 270 lbs., but that would mean starting Adam Morrison ahead of Luke Walton, maybe. Anyone really prefer Adam to Allen?