Lamar IS willing to take less

[Dr Aki]

good new guys...

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketbal ... umn?page=2

The Lakers might now even have a keep-Lamar scenario.

The problem all along has been Odom's salary -- $11.4 million -- relative to his diminished role, with the Lakers eager to cut down their huge luxury-tax bill.

However, trading Vladimir Radmanovic to Charlotte saves about $7 million over two seasons, and could create enough flexibility to keep Odom, if he'll take less money.

Which Odom said he's willing to do.

"Less is still a lot," he said before the game. "I've been blessed. Basketball has given me everything I wanted, and I'm far from greedy.

"And this is where I want to be, so I don't see why not."

[slifersd]

The million dollar question here for both sides is "how much less?"

[doozyj]

4 years - $40MM ??? Would be fair.

[dingclancy]

That is why I am a fan of Odom. I do not care how much less, I am sure the Lakers will give him what they think Odom is worth. Plus it sets an example to the rest of the team.

[That Nicka]

4 years and 28-32 mil I would be happy... Hopefully not more than 4/36

[semi-sentient]

Odom is such a swell guy. I'm glad he realizes that taking less money doesn't mean he'll be standing in line for a welfare check or some gubment cheese. Here's a guy who appreciates everything he has and doesn't take anything for granted, so I'm very much looking forward to resigning him.

On a side note, assuming we resign Odom for $9 million a year, it would take me exactly 112.5 years to make that much money with my current salary. F'ing A these guys have it made.

[TonyMontana]

Odom has done everything we have asked him to do.
He has been under fire since the day he got to LA, the loss of his son, all the trade rumors, we asked him to come off the bench and now we are asking him to take less money to allow this team to sign other players.
I mean is this guy a good teammate or what?

[DoctaJ]

Odom has done everything we have asked him to do.
He has been under fire since the day he got to LA, the loss of his son, all the trade rumors, we asked him to come off the bench and now we are asking him to take less money to allow this team to sign other players.
I mean is this guy a good teammate or what?

Amen, Tony. Lamar Odom is the definition of a team player. Such a great guy and I damn glad we have him on the Lakers.

[Sedale Threatt]

On a side note, assuming we resign Odom for $9 million a year, it would take me exactly 112.5 years to make that much money with my current salary. F'ing A these guys have it made.

Surreal, isn't it. We're talking about a guy making a sacrifice -- which in context he would be -- when in fact even one year of his "lesser" income would be the equivalent of any of us winning the lottery.

Not that I begrudge them for it. These guys are the best in the world at what they do, and that's what the market will apparently bear. It just seems strange when you step back and look at the way these situations are framed, especially in light of our dire economic circumstances.

[miggs]

Another reason why Lamar should be kept for all those out there who want him traded. The guy is the one who pumps up this team at the start of games and has been our top performer for 2 of the biggest games of the year, and he has no problem coming off the bench!!! and now he's saying he has no problem with taking less money to stay here!!! what more do u want?

Great guy, that Lamar. I'm eager to get the million dollar question answered, how much less???

I'm officially posting a thread right after this as the offical keep lamar thread, i'll post the list of all supporters of Keeping Lamar in P&G in my signature, check it out!

[crazyeights]

On a side note, assuming we resign Odom for $9 million a year, it would take me exactly 112.5 years to make that much money with my current salary. F'ing A these guys have it made.

Surreal, isn't it. We're talking about a guy making a sacrifice -- which in context he would be -- when in fact even one year of his "lesser" income would be the equivalent of any of us winning the lottery.

Not that I begrudge them for it. These guys are the best in the world at what they do, and that's what the market will apparently bear. It just seems strange when you step back and look at the way these situations are framed, especially in light of our dire economic circumstances.

I'd only think it's surreal if there was another website forum purely devoted to discussing our own lives and jobs, debating our value to society. There's a reason these cats make 9 million a year, and sites like this one only prove it.

IIRC don't mods make some sort of money for working for the rgm? Look at that $$$ trickle down!

[Sedale Threatt]

I agree that there's a reason they make big money, which is why I wrote "These guys are the best in the world at what they do, and that's what the market will apparently bear."

And they're probably only going to get more, especially as the NBA strengthens its foothold in markets like China.

If it truly bothered me, I wouldn't be a fan. I just think it's unusual if the context is removed, i.e. referring to Odom as taking less when in fact he's still going to be pulling in tens of millions of dollars. I find it bemusing, not upsetting.

And I wish I knew about mods making cash, or I wouln't have turned down an interview for it.

[Erik Eleven]

Lamar is my kind of guy. The point of living is to enjoy it, right? He wouldn't be happy playing for more somewhere else which means he's got his priorities right. It's good to see that he has such a healthy perspective on making millions. Huge props!

This type of team play is his biggest strength on the court, too. He doesn't mind filling defensive voids instead of scoring and getting the spotlight. Now, if he can just keep playing like this after he extends his contract. Something tells me he will.

Again, did KG flick a switch by "getting tough" with Odom? Somehow that seemed to me to have triggered something in Odom. Since that moment, he's been what we've always hoped for him to be.

We'll need "the long arm of the LO" playing at peak performance to win it all this season. Keep it up!

[RASMARX]

Man Odom is such a good guy maybe I'll ask him for a less than a lot loan

[ctorres]

I say give Lamar Odom a no-trade clause if he accepts a deal starting at $7-8 million

[semi-sentient]

IIRC don't mods make some sort of money for working for the rgm? Look at that $$$ trickle down!

Why would they? I've never heard of any forum mods (and I've posted on plenty of forums) making money outside of those who actually have ownership in the site. 99% of moderators do it willingly because they either have the time (and are honest) or love the authority it gives them (like some of the homer Heat mods that banned me for the Shaq hoax several years ago -- lamers).

[KobeFan]

Money talks, bull walks.

Do you know how many athletes make indirect quotes like this? It's all PR. He's not saying he WILL take less -- the most direct comment is "why not, I'm not greedy", that certainly doesn't qualify as: "I will take less money to remain a Laker"

[lakerfan10770]

It is great the Lamar would be willing to take less, but honestly does he really have a choice?

The Lakers will have all the leverage this summer because:

A). Depending on any potential trade deadline deals, only three teams will have more than $10M in cap space: Grizzlies, Thunder & Pistons. And the Pistons will only have cap space if they renounce AI & Rasheed). Is he really going to go to the Thunder or Grizzlies? And to be realistic, is Lamar the guy that any of these 3 teams would use their cap space on?

B). To get more than the MLE from any other team besides the 3 mentioned above would require a S&T, which of course the Lakers would have major control over.

C). There are a number of veteran free agents this summer that Lamar will be competing with for deals: Carlos Boozer (maybe), Shawn Marion, Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, Andre Miller, Ben Gordon, Mike Bibby, David Lee, Hedo Turkoglu (maybe). Plus there are several lower level guys that will be looking for MLE type deals like Trevor Ariza, Raymond Felton, Charlie Villanueva, Nate Robinson, etc...

D). The weakened economy, threat of Luxury Tax, and the impending summer of Lebron in 2010 will have most teams hesitant to give out big contracts. So don't expect to see the same amount of outrageous money thrown around like last summer (by my calculations almost 2 billion in guaranteed contracts were given out).

All of these factors point to Lamar having to accept considerably less money next year, no matter who he signs with.

[hermes]

I say give Lamar Odom a no-trade clause if he accepts a deal starting at $7-8 million

can they do that? trade clauses are pretty rare in the nba

[CX44]

It would also be helpful if Kobe opts and takes less for more yrs to help keep this core together.