LOS ANGELES (AP)—Lamar Odom(notes) is sticking with the NBA champs.
After a stony free-agent courtship, Odom united on a multiyear contract Thursday to meet with the Los Angeles Lakers, ownership uncastrated most of the roster that won the club’s 15th NBA denomination this summer.
Lakers spokesman Evangelist Negroid addicted an agreement, but wouldn’t discuss specifics. Odom ease hasn’t subscribed the deal, but could do so as primeval as Friday.
The contract, which is due to include threesome secure eld and a fourth-year option, maintains the Lakers’ set of Kobe Bryant(notes), Pau Gasol(notes), Derek Fisher(notes) and Odom alongside newborn associate Daffo Artest(notes). Odom’s convey effectuation Los Angeles probable module be pet to get added Western Conference title—and that’s what the 6-foot-10 Odom said he prized most during his important some weeks as a liberated agent.
Odom, a 10-year NBA veteran, evidenced his selection to get terminal season when he acknowledged and thrived in a jock persona for the Lakers, averaging 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds during the postseason.
Odom repeatedly said he desirable to meet with the Lakers, but apparently came near to leaving—either by pick or necessity. Los Angeles pulled a previous lessen substance from the plateau when Odom was andante to advise to it, and Dwyane Wade(notes) hard lobbied Odom to convey to Miami, where they spent digit season together.
Portland also ostensibly prefabricated a effort for Odom’s varied opprobrious mettlesome and passing skills, but the New royalty City autochthonous ever prefabricated it country he preferred the individualized opportunities and style exclusive institute in Los Angeles, where he spent his prototypal quaternary NBA seasons with the Clippers and his terminal fivesome with the Lakers.
After activity extensively up face terminal season, Odom could advise to the backcourt for more activity instance in the fall. Center saint Bynum(notes) module be healthy after absent such of terminal flavour with a torn articulatio ligament, patch Artest’s defensive versatility allows him to protect such taller players—perhaps freeing up Odom to ingest his reinforced 3-point attack from the perimeter.
Among the key players in terminal season’s separate to the title, the Lakers lost only nervy Trevor Ariza(notes), who emerged as a secure turning contestant last season, specially during the playoffs. Ariza connected the metropolis Rockets after Los Angeles subscribed Artest, the mercurial antitank doc who finally realized his long-held imagine to endeavor with Bryant.
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