Do we have what it takes to get Lamar Odom?

[Adamsville]

The free agent says he's frustrated but hopeful a deal will get done despite lengthy negotiations, but Kupchak says he isn't as optimistic as he was. Rumors of interest from Miami swirl.

By Broderick Turner

July 14, 2009

Lamar Odom sounded frustrated and hopeful at the same time.

He sounded frustrated he hasn't been able to come to terms with the Lakers on a contract. But he sounded hopeful he and the Lakers will get a deal done.

At the end of the day, Odom was asked, does he expect to be back playing for the Lakers next season?

"I don't know," Odom told The Times in a phone interview. "That's why there are negotiations. I don't know. Of course I hope they can get it done.

"It's negotiations. Both sides are going to give and take. That's part of it. I don't know how long it's going to take."

The Times has reported that Odom and his agent, Jeff Schwartz, are seeking $10 million a season. The Lakers have offered Odom a deal north of $9 million a season for the first three years.

Odom and Schwartz are seeking more money and years.

"I can't discuss that," said Odom, who attended a screening party Monday night for the DVD featuring the Lakers' 2008-09 championship run. "You talk about money, it's touchy. It's a touchy subject.

"The Lakers have been too good to me to rub people over there the wrong way. The Lakers have been nothing but great to me, and I want to keep the relationship great."

Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who improved on his offer of $8 million a season to Odom, is getting frustrated and is thinking about pulling the deal off the table soon.

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak talked at halftime of a game between the Lakers and Clippers on Monday in Las Vegas at the summer league, saying that the talks with Odom left him "not as hopeful as I was on Friday."

When asked why, Kupchak said, "Just a feeling you get."

"Right now, I'm not sure we're on the same page."

Odom was asked whether it was true the Miami Heat had made him an offer.

The Heat has only the midlevel exception of $5.8 million but might be willing to give Odom a five-year, $34-million deal. Miami signed Odom to a five-year, $65-million contract in 2003 before trading him to the Lakers in 2004 in a deal involving Shaquille O'Neal.

"I don't know how to answer that question," Odom said about Miami being a suitor. "I'm pretty sure there might be other teams. I just won a championship."

Odom joined teammates Derek Fisher, Luke Walton and Jordan Farmar at Club Nokia at LA Live for the screening of the championship video.

Walton and Farmar said they didn't expect Odom to attend the screening because of his ongoing negotiations.

"I didn't expect it to be a two-day process." Odom said. "I expected it to be drawn out because it's negotiations. You never know how things will go."

Kupchak was asked whether he was ready to give up on the talks.

"Perhaps," Kupchak said. "I'm surprised it's taken this long to get to this point. Obviously, I have a lot more information than you guys do."

Odom was asked what would happen if he doesn't get a deal from the Lakers.

"I don't know. If it doesn't rain tomorrow, it might be sunny," Odom said. "Who knows what's going to happen? But I remain hopeful that it gets done."

[TheNorthCydeRises]

The question then becomes, who would you rather sign to a 4-year deal? Lamar or Marvin.

Lamar definitely has more of an array of skills that he brings to the table. Lamar is someone that you could also run iso with, because of his size and passing ability. And he's still not even 30 yet. I think he's definitely better than Marvin from an all-around skill standpoint.

With Marvin, the question is still . . . how good can this guy become? Marvin is a better shooter than Lamar. He's a little more athletic as well. I'll have to give the toughness edge to Marvin as well.

Lamar's game is at his peak, while Marvin hasn't peaked yet. So the question is simply who do you think will produce at a higher level, over a 4-year span? While I believe that guy will be Marvin, Lamar RIGHT NOW would make us a very interesting team next year. Possibly a championship caliber team.

[Guest]

I think it's an even trade pretty much all around but because I don't think Lamar would push us to the finals, I'd rather keep Marv...but it is prolly one of the most balanced trades I've heard all around. The Lakers would be dangerous with Kobe, Pau, Artest and a young Marv..winning while still building. We would prolly make it to the late 2nd round, possibly the east finals but I doubt the NBA finals.

[dlpin]

hasn't he said repeatedly that he only wants to play in a city by the beach?

[AtLaS]

Lamar Odom is one of the most purely talented players in the NBA from a size and skillset standpoint. Yet, he's never been to an all-star game. He's probably the biggest underachiever in the NBA and really only shows up to play when he wants to.

That being said, he's better than Marvin but I don't see him bringing us over the top 3 so I'd rather just keep Marvin.

[HAWKSFAN89]

Uhhh, id much rather have Lamar Odom starting at SF instead of Marvin.

[coachx]

The question then becomes, who would you rather sign to a 4-year deal? Lamar or Marvin.

Why does it matter ?

We cannot go over the cap to sign other team's FAs. We can only go over the cap to sign our own FAs. That is why we can sign Marvin but cannot sign Odom.

[capstone21]

Why does it matter ?

We cannot go over the cap to sign other team's FAs. We can only go over the cap to sign our own FAs. That is why we can sign Marvin but cannot sign Odom.

I always loved Odom but you are right we won't be able to sign him.