Los Angeles Lakers: Is Lamar Odom Still A Realistic Option For The Lakers?

Upon the ending of the season, the Lakers found themselves involved in talks with several players from their previous championship runs. Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar and former Sixth Man of the Year Lamar Odom were the names appearing the news most often. Putting the band back together proved to be a mere fantasy as the Lakers eventually passed on adding Sasha Vujacic, but did put together a reunion with Jordan Farmar and the Lakers continue to be intertwined with Odom.

Despite his reported recent troubles with drugs and a possible divorce looming, there have been several claims that Odom remains interested in his old squad. Odom definitely fit the need for Mike D’Antoni and his stretch-forward oriented offense. All of this is presumed if he (Odom) was healthy both physically and mentally.

Since being traded from the Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks after the 2010-11 season, Odom hasn’t displayed his versatile skills that once gave teams nightmares in Los Angeles. A dramatic dip from nearly 15 points per game down to only seven on 35 percent shooting was enough evidence that Odom is no longer the same player.

His stint last season with the Los Angeles Clippers was much of the same, with a similar decrease in numbers (four points per game on 39 percent shooting). Odom coupled a dismal display on the hardwood by coming into Clippers’ camp overweight. Even with the nod by many from the neighboring organization in Los Angeles, Odom was unable to secure another chance there. Doc Rivers was even interested in his presence within their locker room.

With the 2013-14 season on the horizon, there are hopes to start anew for Odom. Rumors swirled that the Lakers have promised to keep a spot on their roster open for Odom, with the agreement that he enters rehabilitation for his personal issues. The news seemed unlikely, due to the recent signings of Gonzaga rookie Elias Harris and camp invites for Shawne Williams, Marcus Landry and possibly Chris Douglas-Roberts. These moves leave little to no room for Odom as a plan. Age is also working against him, as he approaches 34 years of age.

Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters issued a statement that will silence the chatter for now. Winters tweeted:

Seems as if the Lakers have moved on for now and head into the future without Odom. With a roster surrounded by many questions, the Lakers don’t seem willing to take on any more players in their locker room.[slider_pro id=”14″]