Mavs send Odom away for rest of the season

[dockingsched]

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/_/i ... mmediately

The Mavericks and Odom spent Easter Sunday working out a parting, according to sources close to the situation, that frees the struggling Odom to leave the team immediately without actually being released.

"The Mavericks and I have mutually agreed that it's in the best interest of both parties for me to step away from the team," Odom said in a statement to ESPN.com. "I'm sorry that things didn't work out better for both of us, but I wish the Mavs' organization, my teammates and Dallas fans nothing but continued success in the defense of their championship."

Sources said Monday that Odom's departure will be immediate and that the Mavericks intend to simply list him as inactive for the rest of the season instead of outright releasing him, leaving open the possibility that they could still trade him after the season in conjunction with the draft. Any team that has Odom on its roster as of June 29 must buy him out by that date for $2.4 million or otherwise accept responsibility for the full $8.2 million that Odom is scheduled to earn in 2012-13.

Even if either side had pushed for a formal release, there is little upside to taking that step now with Odom ineligible to play in the playoffs with another team because he wasn't waived before the March 23 deadline. One source close to the 32-year-old told ESPN.com that the decision sets Odom up to "clear his head and start getting ready for next season" after his career-low numbers and minutes continued to dip as the season wore on....

what a terrible yr for LO.

[Gek]

I just can't actually feel bad for him anymore. The guy has millions of dollars and can't find the right mental help for his issues? Come one man.

[crazy8ights]

make's mitch look like a f**king 'G'

[seoulman]

I wouldn't mind having him back next year. Maybe return a bit renewed with a chip on his shoulder.

[eckoner]

Wow this is the type of stuff you see on reality TV!

Oh wait this is the stuff we will see in the next season of Khloe and Lamar!

sadddddd

[dirtymike]

What happened? Did being traded do THAT much to him????

[Dr Aki]

if josh mcb can play for the lakers, i can't see why lamar cant

providing lamar takes the minimum tho

[Stebo_SSK]

I dont understand why some my fellow Laker fans keep crying to get LO back. Its obvious that he has a fragile psychi. Just imagine had he stayed and started to have marital issues or what not? I can see him being initially upset over the trade and struggling at first but now its almost playoff time and this team can compete. LO is/was supposed to be a difference maker. His days in LA should be over and the Lakers and Mitch are making moves to compete now AND to ensure a good future.

[trufan24]

i see him joining Miami or Knicks

[Draper]

No way can he make it in New York. Having his hometown media and fans tear him apart if he plays poorly will bring LO into an even deeper funk.

Miami's possible but for him to be successful he has to play PF, guess they could go with a frontline of Bosh (5), LO (4) and LeBron (3).

Clippers are unlikely because Blake's going to get 35+ minutes a game at PF and they need more spacing on offense not less.

[BosssPlaya]

i hope Lakers bring him back, it would definitely be a win-win situation for both sides.

[snaquille oatmeal]

Mavs are going to try to trade him, but nobody will bite because he is such a wreck. then The Mavs will let him go and he will shop himself around and nobody will bite because he will be asking for too much. come December, he will be desperate and take the vets min from the Lakers, but Lakers won't bite. the end.

[Jetset]

Yeah right, they'd definitely do Odom for the vet min.

[Stebo_SSK]

i hope Lakers bring him back, it would definitely be a win-win situation for both sides.

Why tho? He played horrible in the playoffs last year, plus he is going to be older. The Lakers would be better off going after younger talent. Odom is too fragile to be on a contender at this point. What if Khloe starts trippin in the middle of a playoff series? Then what?

[OOO]

I would love Lamar back. Should of kept his mouth shut though. He played horrible in the playoffs? 12/6/2 off the bench is horrible?

[DirkIsNBA]

You can have him back. The Mavs feel a sense of relief to not have him in the locker room anymore. He became a "morose albatross."

[Imadogg]

Don't feel bad for this guy at all. Good for the Mavs on letting him go finally, and good on Lamar for sabotaging the Mavs this whole year.

[semi-sentient]

I dont understand why some my fellow Laker fans keep crying to get LO back.

We have McRoberts and Murphy backing up Pau, and what happens if Pau or Bynum go down? Wouldn't you rather have Odom stepping into the starting lineup? Odom has chemistry with our core group and has proven his worth to the organization. Despite his numbers, the guy is still an excellent rebounder and immediately becomes the best play-maker off the bench, meaning we can get rid of Blake's ass.

Odom's mental fragility has never been a huge issue for the Lakers and I consider this a lesson about the grass being greener. I'm willing to bet he would jump at the chance to come back to the Lakers and be revitalized, and for cheap since most teams around the league will consider him damaged goods.

The bottom line is that he can help the team and that's all that really matters. Him being a baby about the trade is a real non-issue for me.

[Imadogg]

Lamar would be mentally healthier here, knowing he's in hollywood again. That would help him stay happy and play better. And I'm serious about all that.

[Speedlot]

I think teams would offer Odom 5 million-ish. If not, sure why not. Come back for the Vet min.