Lakers keep F Odom with multiyear deal
July 30, 2009
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Lamar Odom(notes) is sticking with the NBA champs.
After a rocky free-agent courtship, Odom agreed on a multiyear contractThursday to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, keeping intact most of the rosterthat won the club’s 15th NBA title this summer.
Lakers spokesman John Black confirmed an agreement, but wouldn’t discussspecifics. Odom still hasn’t signed the deal, but could do so as early asFriday.
The contract, which is expected to contain three guaranteed years and afourth-year option, maintains the Lakers’ core of Kobe Bryant(notes), Pau Gasol(notes), DerekFisher(notes) and Odom alongside new teammate Ron Artest(notes). Odom’s return means LosAngeles likely will be favored to win another Western Conference title—andthat’s what the 6-foot-10 Odom said he prized most during his eventful few weeksas a free agent.
Odom, a 10-year NBA veteran, proved his determination to win last seasonwhen he accepted and thrived in a reserve role for the Lakers, averaging 12.3points and 9.1 rebounds during the postseason.
Odom repeatedly said he preferred to stay with the Lakers, but apparentlycame close to leaving—either by choice or necessity. Los Angeles pulled aprevious contract offer from the table when Odom was slow to respond to it, andDwyane Wade(notes) heavily lobbied Odom to return to Miami, where they spent one seasontogether.
Portland also apparently made a bid for Odom’s versatile offensive game andpassing skills, but the New York City native always made it clear he preferredthe personal opportunities and lifestyle only found in Los Angeles, where hespent his first four NBA seasons with the Clippers and his last five with theLakers.
After playing extensively up front last season, Odom could move to thebackcourt for more playing time in the fall. Center Andrew Bynum(notes) will be healthyafter missing much of last season with a torn knee ligament, while Artest’sdefensive versatility allows him to guard much taller players—perhaps freeingup Odom to use his improved 3-point stroke from the perimeter.
Among the key players in last season’s run to the title, the Lakers lostonly forward Trevor Ariza(notes), who emerged as a dependable rotation player lastseason, particularly during the playoffs. Ariza joined the Houston Rockets afterLos Angeles signed Artest, the mercurial defensive specialist who finallyrealized his long-held dream to play with Bryant.
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