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NBA: Top 25 Free Agent Signings of All-Time

By Bryce Olin

Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) during the first quarter in game five of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) during the first quarter in game five of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Lamar Odom prior to the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Lamar Odom prior to the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Lamar Odom, Miami Heat

Season G MP FG FGA FG% 3P% TRB AST STL PTS
2003-04 80 37.5 6.1 14.1 .430 .298 9.7 4.1 1.1 17.1
Career 961 33.4 5.0 10.8 .463 .312 8.4 3.7 0.9 13.3

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/2/2014.

We all know Lamar Odom has led a very troubled life and career, but Pat Riley took a chance on Odom, and it paid off.

Odom played well for the Miami Heat, but it was the potential that the Lakers saw in Odom that was the game-changer. Without Odom, the deal for Miami to obtain Shaquille O’Neal from the Lakers never gets done.

O’Neal later led the Miami Heat to the 2006 NBA title, but it never would have been possible if Odom never signed with the Heat.

Next: 16. Tom Chambers