LaMar Odom to Resign With Lakers 4 Years/40 Million

BSO Exclusive: Lamar Odom To Resign With Lakers 4 years/40 Million
By BonaFide Sports Expert Robert Littalon July 21, 2009 3:37 PM



Sources close to Lamar Odom have told BSO that Odom will resign with the Lakers.

Odom will sign a 4 year 40 million dollar contract to stay with the champs.
The change of heart came after Lamar reached out to Dr. Jerry Buss. The two of them spoke yesterday where they were able to reach an agreement.

Remember where you heard it first.

As more details come in, we will update you.

*UPDATE*

Once again sources close to Lamar Odom are insisting a deal is done and is just waiting for Dr. Buss to sign off on it.

There has been reports there is no deal on the table and there are no neogiations ongoing.

But there was in fact a 3 year deal worth 30 million that was turned down Odom recently.

The only hold up is will Dr. Buss sign off on 4 year deal or will Odom accept 3 year deal.

We will have to wait and see how it all shakes out, but I would be shocked if Lamar Odom is does not resign with the Lakers.

*Update*


The LA Times now reports that talks have been ongoing since yesterday. Imagine that:


http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lak ... 7681.story

Written By BonaFide Sports Expert Robert Littal

Sources: Odom leaning toward signing with Heat
By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports
5 hours, 35 minutes ago

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Lamar Odom(notes) is leaning strongly toward accepting the Miami Heat’s contract offer and leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, multiple sources with knowledge of the talks said.

Odom has not reached a final decision, the sources said, but there is growing belief he will ultimately return to the Heat unless the Lakers improve their current offer.

“It’s close, but it’s not done,” said one source.

Lakers officials and Odom’s representatives resumed talking after a weeklong standoff that began when Jerry Buss, the team’s owner, withdrew a four-year, $36 million offer that guaranteed $30 million. Sources close to Odom said that while the two sides have since talked, Buss is now offering less than the Lakers’ previous proposal.

Odom could sign a five-year, $34 million with the Heat or take a four-year contract that would give him the option to become a free agent in three seasons and seek a more lucrative deal. He also would not have to pay state income tax in Florida.

Odom, who will turn 30 on Nov. 6, played for the Heat during the 2003-04 season – the only season in his 10-year career that he didn’t spend in Los Angeles – and has maintained a good relationship with Dwyane Wade(notes).

Odom’s departure would be a huge loss for the Lakers and an unexpected gift for the Western Conference’s other top contenders. He averaged 11.4 points and 8.2 rebounds last season, and played well during the Lakers’ run to the championship despite being bothered by back spasms. The Lakers replaced Trevor Ariza(notes) with Ron Artest(notes) this summer, but Odom’s length and versatility made him a difficult matchup off the bench for opposing teams.

Lamar Odom staying with Lakers

By GREG BEACHAM, AP
Thu Jul 30, 7:26 PM EDT

Lamar Odom is sticking with the NBA champs.

After a rocky free-agent courtship, Odom agreed on a multiyear contract Thursday to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, keeping intact most of the roster that won the club's 15th NBA title this summer.

Lakers spokesman John Black confirmed an agreement, but wouldn't discuss specifics. Odom still hasn't signed the deal, but could do so as early as Friday.

The contract, which is expected to contain three guaranteed years and a fourth-year option, maintains the Lakers' core of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher and Odom alongside new teammate Ron Artest. Odom's return means Los Angeles likely will be favored to win another Western Conference title - and that's what the 6-foot-10 Odom said he prized most during his eventful few weeks as a free agent.

Odom, a 10-year NBA veteran, proved his determination to win last season when he accepted and thrived in a reserve role for the Lakers, averaging 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds during the postseason.

Odom repeatedly said he preferred to stay with the Lakers, but apparently came close to leaving - either by choice or necessity. Los Angeles pulled a previous contract offer from the table when Odom was slow to respond to it, and Dwyane Wade heavily lobbied Odom to return to Miami, where they spent one season together.

Portland also apparently made a bid for Odom's versatile offensive game and passing skills, but the New York City native always made it clear he preferred the personal opportunities and lifestyle only found in Los Angeles, where he spent his first four NBA seasons with the Clippers and his last five with the Lakers.

After playing extensively up front last season, Odom could move to the backcourt for more playing time in the fall. Center Andrew Bynum will be healthy after missing much of last season with a torn knee ligament, while Artest's defensive versatility allows him to guard much taller players - perhaps freeing up 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 lost only forward Trevor Ariza, who emerged as a dependable rotation player last season, particularly during the playoffs. Ariza joined the Houston Rockets after Los Angeles signed Artest, the mercurial defensive specialist who finally realized his long-held dream to play with Bryant.

The Associated Press