OT: Lakers pull offer off table to Odom

[CelticFaninLBC]

I'm pretty sure Atlanta has cap space and can make an offer...

[campybatman]

I don't think Atlanta would pursue Odom. They still need to resign Marvin Williams and have Josh Smith already. And the Hawks must decide if they'll extend J. Johnson. So these priories would require more of their attention.

[Anklebreaker702]

I've to wonder is it about the number of years in the contract for Odom. Because what's really the difference between $10M a season versus $9M a season other than a distinction in the contract's worth based on total years.

He's just not being smart bonsai, that's all to it. He & Ariza are about to mess up what looked to be a sure fire repeat.

[campybatman]

Ultimately, I think Odom will resign with the Lakers too. But if Los Angeles' offer is somewhat less than what it initially was. Couldn't you make the argument that that bolds well for Miami, let's say? That is to say, the Heat's best offer might now be somewhat closer to what the Lakers possibly will offer Odom next. Still, regardless, the Lakers' new offer will still probably be more than enough (even if not as much) to dissuade him from signing elsewhere. But we do know from a report that Miami indeed does have an interest in signing him and Wade personally would like for him to return.

"I want Lamar to do what's best for him and his family because we love him as family," Wade said Friday in a phone interview with the Associated Press to discuss his new shoe deal with Brand Jordan.

"But on the other hand we want him back home... to come home. His house is still there. It'd be exciting to see what happens."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4336149

The best deal the Lakers had previously offered was Odom was for four years, $36 million. But the fourth year was a team option, that the Lakers had to either exercise, or buy Lamar out for $3 million. That means Odom turned down a guaranteed three year, $30 million contract.

That offer is no longer on the table, nor is any offer from the Lakers. I'm told that if Lamar called the team today and said he would accept these terms, he would most likely be told that the offer is no longer available. Again, this is my opinion based on multiple conversations. I have not spoken directly to Mitch Kupchak or Jerry Buss. If Lamar and Dr. Buss got together over dinner, maybe that original offer could resurface, but I'm told that's highly unlikely.

The common opinion seems to be that the Lakers made Odom an offer that was far above market value, and he turned it down. It's my feeling that the team no longer thinks he's worth a guaranteed $30 million in the current market. Unless somebody has a change of heart, Lamar most likely will have to take less to come back to the Lakers.

By the way, the perception that Odom's agent, Jeff Schwartz, has been making this worse isn't necessarily true. I've had two different people tell me that Schwartz is a solid agent who has taken every offer seriously, and advised Lamar to do the same. I had one guy who told me, "I'm pretty sure Jeff advised him to take the deal...it's always the client's call."

I said yesterday that I thought the percentage chance of Lamar returning to the Lakers was 70%. Everybody I talked to today said my number was too high, and "it's more like 50/50." I still think it's more than that, but not much. If I'm Lamar, the Lakers still give me the best chance to win, can pay me the most money, and allow me play in the city where I want to live. I know there are other considerations, but none more important than those three.

http://cbslocalblogs.prospero.com/kcbs_ireland?entry=40

[Pacino62]

I've to wonder is it about the number of years in the contract for Odom. Because what's really the difference between $10M a season versus $9M a season other than a distinction in the contract's worth based on total years.

He's just not being smart bonsai, that's all to it. He & Ariza are about to mess up what looked to be a sure fire repeat.

Sure fire repeat? Slow down there.....For real.....How can you even make that statement? KG was injured and we've added Sheed and Daniels.