Lamar Odom still doesn't have a new contract with the Lakers. For observers like us, every day with no movement is another step to the grave. That's how it is for high-profile free agents -- take Trevor Ariza, for example. If something isn't done relatively quickly, there's a decent chance nothing with ever get done. It should be easy for the defending champions and their key players.The Lakers and Odom aren't finding it easy, with the latest news out of L.A. being that the Lakers have pulled their most recent offer -- a $9 million annual salary -- off the table because Odom's camp didn't bite. The previous thinking had been that Odom wanted $10 mil and L.A. offered $8 million. But the new hesitation from L.O. stems from contract length: L.A. is only offering three years.
Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports an incensed Jerry Buss yanked the Lakers' offer off the table because of said pause. ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports the same, while noting that Dallas and Miami are trying to make things interesting by courting Odom.
But in the end, there seems to be almost no way, barring a late run by Portland at the end of this week, Odom doesn't re-sign with the Lakers. It's hard to say the Lakers need Odom more than Odom needs the Lakers -- no one can pay L.O. more, after all -- but it's pretty apparent that the Lakers are not in a very strong position here. If they were, this would be done.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
27 million for three years in a recession, that's pretty fair. C'mon Lamar stop listening to these greedy agents, take that money and finish your career in L.A.
He's going back home to the northeast and will be signing with either the Knicks or Celtics.
Pretty good money for a guy who only works productively about one month a year. And that's about one month more than he ever has in the past. Lamar has outstanding skills but is just dumb assed lazy. If he had one tenth of Kobe's work ethic, he could be great, but he just doesn't.
Dear Mr. Odom
I am an unemployed 52 year old male, now I know that means nothing to you or anyone else for that matter, however to turn down $750,000 per month is crazy. Don't you think? Your cashing about $465,000 per month. PER MONTH...PER MONTH...PER MONTH for the next 4 years. Just to play B-ball. You can make up the difference pitching anything your heart desires. Wise up, don't be a meat head, . Fire your bone head agent, go into Mr. Buss's office alone, make a deal shake his hand, then play your butt off.
Don't want to lose ya....
Tom from Phoenix via L.A.
please odom. take the money. dont turn out to be like ariza, who turns out to be only interested in money. and i say that with a heavy heart. it was sad to see him go. you are a basketball player. you should be playing for the love of the game and to win, not because how much a team pays you. finish with the lakers, and bring LA those championships
if that were true then kobe should resign half his salary for that matter. these athletes know they havent got that big of a career and they retire early. they need to make the most they can while their in their prime
Stupid Agents......and if it's not his agent then shame on you Lamar....go to the Knicks and be a loser again....Lakers and Kobe got you a ring with more to come.....get the deal back on the table...sign it...say thank you!!!!
The Lakers will not repeat without Lamar. Get it done Lakers!!
Go East young man, the west coast is the stepchild to the east. Wake up in the morning with 80% of the country, avoid all that terrible travel, lousy smog and tree huggers. Come to New York and own the city!!!
quit playing games will ya..where else can he go and make those big bucks athletes are so frigging spoiled..the fans should boycott the games and then see what happens..no but they wont ..they need to see how high they can jump and dunk the ball..i dont spend any money on live events...tv is fine with me..it is a recession remember this people
See you later Odummy!!! Greed is infectious and the cure is to get a new Agent. The Knicks are the eastern Clippers, go to them seeing how's you were once a Clipper you know and have experience in being on a loser of a team. Want another ring? stay put, want more money, move out of the best city in the USA, What's 2 mil a year, you don't play like your worth 10 mil and you know it! But LA is willing to accept you at 85% effort during the regular season, you blossomed because of Kobe and the rest of the team, off the bench! You will have to work your ass off and get no rewards, then the new team will really see who you really are, a part time good player, you have the most (only on the Lakers) respect with the Lakers, any other team your just the average guy, you'll be traded in 2 years or less, just like all the other dud's, remember them??? I can't but look at the Clippers roster from years past, Ben? Your a fool if you move, and a star if you Don't...
Lamar Odom would, I think, be a drastic improvement over Eric Dampier, if Cuban isn`t just playing chicken with Buss. Nowitzki will probably be the co tallest west all star this season, with Yao out injured, and Shaq O`Neal an all star candidate in the east. Dallas is still cold winters, but not as cold as New York, and the Knicks have power forwards, including all star candidate Lee, whom the Lakers may try to sign if Odom leaves, though the Mavericks can certainly bid on him, too, and he would be even better for them, younger, a better rebounder, than Odom would be. CleveLand has been having its own way so far this off season, time for its rivals to try to catch up and surpass them.
go anywhere young man except la because the magic are going to win the championship next year.without ariza and odom the lakers wish phil jackson gets another heart attack before they get swept in a playoff series go magic.
After looking at the mid level exeption offers from Dallas and Miami (or anyone else), I bet the Lakers offer will seem worthy enough to Lamar later this week. Dr. Buss is a mediocre poker player but he is a genius at running a sports franchise. The Lakers are still among the NBA elite.
If you know the Lakers, like I know the Lakers, you will realize that the reason they pulled the Lamar offers back off the table, it is because they are working on something much bigger and better.............you watch
COULD it be that the LAKERS are planning on adding someone like--maybe--(CARLOS BOOZER). you better think about it--L.O. you may fool around too long. tell those stupid agents to GET LOST.
Anyone eager to take a 3 or 4 million dollars a year pay cut like Odom is being asked to do can send the money to me thru my attorney. I could sure use it. I`m sure most folks could. If Odom can get double mid level exception, somehow, not just MLE, from Dallas, or most anywhere else in the nba, which isn`t being talked about so far in this economic depression, and may not be, he should take it, and good luck. Boozer is making $12 mil, like Odom was, if the Lakers can pay him, they can pay Odom, though certainly if the prefer him, maybe Salt Lake City would take Odom in a sign and trade, but if they prefered Booz to, and a lot would, then the Lakers would have to try to sweeten the deal with more than Fisher, whom the Jazz let go back to LA.
Odom, leave if ya want the money. for years you have played with half a heart for the game and now that you have your ring , move on and show everyone that you are the same ole odom, content with being half a$$ 90% of the time.I wanted artest before and now he's here. lakers will survive as always. GO LAKERS
Lamar, You have your reasons, I'm sure. And it all isn't money. I still think you have been misused since you joined the Lakers. Your talents are exceptional and more than compliment Kobe's. The best skills I see you employ is movement with and without the ball. Your teamates get open shots and as a result, the whole team excells. My complaint is you are not greedy enough ( I guess there is only so much of that allowed on the floor at one time, right KB?)
Do what you have too, I'l still follow you no matter where you show your skills.
Im a life long Lakers fan and Lamar is truely an asset to the team BUT. Profesional American sports salaries are OUT OF CONTROL.These athletes are NOT role models, thier not all NICE guys. thier just doing what they do best and thats just PLAYING. NBA> NFL> MLB> all being ruined by One thing, GREED. When a team like the Chicago Cubs needs to file bankruptcy THERES SOMETHING going wrong. Players , owners, coaches, all liveing in extreme luxury while the fans on welfare or unemployment pay thier exuberent salaries by attening games or paying for special subscription TV to see the games we love to watch. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE????????