Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers engage over Lamar Odom - NBA Report
It seems that Dallas Mavericks forward Lamar Odom will be heading back to Los Angeles, rejoining the team which drafted him into the league – the Los Angeles Clippers.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, Clippers and Mavs are holding discussions about a possible three way trade centred around Odom and Mo Williams.
Dallas acquired Odom from Los Angeles Lakers last year, after the player asked for a trade. The Lakers had tried to ship Odom to the New Orleans Hornets in a three team trade also involving the Houston Rockets. That deal was however
nixed by NBA Commissioner David Stern, who was acting as the owner of the Big Easy franchise at that time.
Odom didn’t take the attempted trade well and was eventually sent to the Mavs in exchange of $ 8.9 million trade exception. Lamar’s stint with the Mavericks was one to forget for both parties. The power forward never got going
and after averaging just 6.6 points and 4.2 boards, he was listed inactive late in the season after a spat with owner Mark Cuban.
Odom is owed $8.2 million in 2012-13 season and the Mavs have till 28th June to trade him. If they are unable to do so, then they will have to buy Odom out for $2.4 million and the 32-year-old will head into free agency.
In that case, teams like the New York Knicks and Miami Heat are expected to make a run for last season’s Sixth Man of the Year.
The biggest hurdle in the Clips- Mavs trade so far is a third party willing to accept Mo Williams and his huge contract of above $ 8 million. That way Dallas wouldn’t have to spend anything.
The most viable suitor for Mo Williams seem to be the Lakers. They have Dallas’ trade exception and are in dire need of a solid point guard, especially after Ramon Sessions decided against taking his player option.
Williams is as good a point guard as they come, but with the Clippers already having Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups and Randy Foye, Williams’ presence does not make any sense. The player had earlier showed interest in staying with
the Clips, but recent reports suggest that he is willing to reconsider.
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