What has been a frustrating, up and down time these past 4 weeks with every Lakers fan (and, pretty much the rest of the NBA and their fans) holding their breaths waiting to see what would happen with Lamar Odom, the 6'10" point forward who can play as a starter or 6th man and dribble, shoot, post, move the ball, bring the ball up, defend, and create huge mismatches. It went from quiet negotiations to flirting around with Miami Heat, to Dr. Jerry Buss pulling the offer, to resume conversations after a week of not talking to each other (sounds like your on and off again girlfriend?), to reduced deals because of the bitter spat, to Pat Rielly and Dwayne Wade going to LA to try to convince Odom, to finally, a rumor saying a deal will be done by the end of this week. It's been an annoying (okay, f&*#ing annoying) past 4 weeks but today, it finally paid off.

Lamar Odom and the LA Lakers have just reached an agreement in principle (read: haven't signed the papers yet but have a verbal commitment/agreement) to sign on for $27 million guaranteed. Although it is $3 million short, the deal would come out to $25 million for 3 years, and a $2 million bonus regardless if they keep him on for a 4th year or not (which will be another 8.3 million if they do so).

It would have been nice to give Odom some more money, but Dr. Jerry Buss doens't play ball like the rest of us - its his court or ... well his court. Did Odom lose out trying to get more? Yes, but this way if Lakers get some more rings during his stay in Lakertown he'll be sure to chalking up some more cash along the way.

Plus, now Kobe can sign his extension and everything is perfect for the Lakers - and the rest of the league can now figure out how to stop the (nearly impossible to beat) Lakers...good luck!


From ESPN:

Free agent forward Lamar Odom will return to the Los Angeles Lakers, an NBA source said Thursday.

One source with knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com the four-year deal is worth $33 million if the Lakers exercise the final season.

One source close to the process said Odom will come away with a guaranteed $27 million from the new contract, matching the original value of the three-year, $27 million deal Lakers owner Jerry Buss pulled off the table earlier this month.

It's believed that the structure of the new deal calls for Odom to earn $25 million over the first three seasons, with the Lakers owing him $2 million in the fourth year if they elect not to pick up their team option.

Reached Thursday evening, Odom's agent Jeff Schwartz declined to discuss specifics but confirmed that the sides have an agreement in principle.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak declined comment.

Odom's signing was the most significant free agent move left to play out this summer, as it restores a pivotal piece to the Lakers' championship team. The versatile, 6-foot-9 Odom averaged 11.3 points and 8.2 rebounds during the regular season and 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds during the playoffs, despite injuring his back in a fall during the Western Conference semifinals against Houston.

Odom's destination for the 2009-10 season had remained in doubt after the Lakers pulled an initial offer of a reported $27 million guaranteed over three years off the table. As the other franchises with significant salary cap space spent their money elsewhere, the Miami HeatPortland Trail Blazers emerged as a serious contender for Odom's services. On Tuesday, the also got into the mix.

With Dwyane Wade publicly lobbying for Odom to rejoin him in South Beach, the Heat offered a deal worth up to $34 million over five years. The fact that Odom didn't jump at it despite the cooled tone of negotiations with the Lakers indicated his desire to return to Los Angeles, and the longer the saga dragged out the greater the chances seemed that he would be back.

With Odom back in the fold the Lakers would have their top five scorers and top four rebounders from the 2009 championship on the roster to begin the title defense. The only significant loss is forward Trevor Ariza, who left to sign a contract with the Houston RocketsRon Artest. after the Lakers signed former Rocket

Click HERE for the story.
(*NOTE: I do not provide/host these files, click on your own discretion!)

EH

Find the latest in stars * media * hype+ * sports * fashion
@ STRKNG LIGHTS BLOG