Monday, April 9th, 2012 at 10:25 am  |  69 responses

Lamar Odom, Dallas Mavericks Mutually Agree to Part Ways


The Lamar Odom Era in Dallas has come to an abrupt, unfortunate end. The team has agreed for the struggling forward to walk away for the remainder of the season. Reports ESPN: “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. ‘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 said 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. [...] Both coach Rick Carlisle and Nowitzki refused to discuss the Odom situation after Dallas’ 94-89 defeat to the Grizzlies. ‘No Lamar questions tonight,’ Carlisle told reporters. Nowitzki, meanwhile, fielded questions for four minutes about his own struggles in the Memphis defeat — including two late turnovers — but ended the interview when asked about Odom. ‘I’m done talking about that,’ Nowitzki said.”

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  • Heals

    @angus, he’s got 2 rings, a 6th man award, has NY hoops cache, a TV show and made 8.2 mil this year. If those are the pitfalls of marijuana then where can I get my Dr’s recommendation…

  • http://theinboundspass.blogspot.co.nz David

    This is really sad. Hope he finds a better team and situation next year

  • http://www.slamonline.com aman from arkansas

    Lob City

  • Ben LB STATE

    Most of you guys are being ignorant to the fact the man had to transition tremendously. Including the family related deaths he had to deal with. Yes he was getting paid millions, but money doesn’t always fix anything. Give the guy a chance to clear his head.

  • IAMORANGE4EVER

    Agreed Heals. I’m not here to defend weed usage, but it’s no more harmful of a drug than alcohol. Angus should just go back to watching his Reefer Madness.

  • http://www.google.com/news BETCATS

    Caboose, that was a low blow. Lol damn.

  • LA Huey

    His issues stemming from the offseason tragedies were probably exacerbated by the fact he was uprooted from familiar, friendly faces in the Laker locker room. And I understand, as Allenp noted, a 7-8 figure salary doesn’t make you immune to depression. However, if he wasn’t going to contribute, he should’ve at least given his paycheck to charities for a related cause.

  • http://Juanm.garcia@comcast.net KingsWithRings

    LA withdrawal is a biotch. Especialy to Dallas. That’s the equivalent of leaving NY to live in Boston.

  • Rnz

    Its hard to be sympathetic with this dude. Granted the trade from LA was shocking, but they traded you to the friggin defending champs!! its not like they traded you to the Wizards/Bobcats? Grow a pair LO

  • Shay Hill

    You people are so pathetic who are leaving such heartless comments about Lamar. I bet you would not say these comments to his face in person. It is so easy to type words then say them to someone. He is a human being and he deserve like anyone else for support and love. I bet when he has a come back you all will eat those words.

  • T-Money

    when guys play well during hard times, we say that basketball is a refuge. when guys play bad during hard times, we say that they had too much on their mind to perform.

  • http://slamonline BossTerry

    Khloe Kardashian didn’t want to live in Texas..

  • Dungeon Family

    I feel sorry for LO……..Not for getting let go but for him having to sleep beside Bam Bam Bigelow every night.

    She Must got that Good Good because I fail to see what is attractive about her

  • BRYANT BYNUM GASOL 24 17 16

    Bam bam bigelow is hilarious. Props dungeon family

  • http://slamonline.com Jones

    On the one hand, you gotta understand the guy went through a lot, his cousin dying and etc, but when you sign a 8.1 mill contract and make all these demands you have a responsibility to your team and you have to honor your contract. He should either just retire next year or play hard again, no halfassing it like he did all year in Dallas.

    And when you’re a ‘celeb’ you have even less excuse. Classless move by Odom, Mavs just had enough of his toxic attitude.

  • http://dennysisforwinners.blogspot.com DennysFishTacos

    He’ll be laughing it up on the E! Channel in a few months.

  • dee

    Either the Lakers or Clippers is where Odom is going to finish his career…not happy the way things played out but nobody knows what this man was going through. Sensative? maybe but when healthy (mentally & physically)Odom can ball. Today’s NBA lack real men. Todays game are filled with millionare kids who don’t know how to cope with things. Anybody you know have to deal with 2 deaths during the summer and being traded from a team you thought you were going to retire with? We know he asked to be traded after the CP3 trade fell apart but maybe mentally, he needed the Lakers orginization for support. Either way its’ not a good look. Personally he should’ve taken a week off the start of the season then continue to ball. In LA, he had an important role. He didn’t have to fit in. He was asked to do that in Dallas. The Mavericks had patience with Dirk. They should’ve showed it with Odom. Truth be told the Mavs are not the same team that won it all. Pointing fingers at Odom is an easy out. He’ll bounce back next season.

  • http://yahoo.com S. Johnson

    The Lakers should get Lamar back………….

  • http://slam vikki

    You can say what you want to, but LO needs to be with the Lakers. He played his best in LA.That’s because like everyone else out there if you are surrounded by positive karma your going to do your best. LA feels like home to this guy. Home is alwaays where the heart is. Everyone can give their take of what happened, but you don’t know what a person is going through uunless you’ve walked in his shoes. Man ya’ll need some heart and compassion. No one is perfect. But I respect a man that can be true to himself and his life. He is a human being first and a basketball player second. Everyone has their own choice in their life to be peaceful, content and happy. Stop being “HATERS”. LO played damn good at LA. Oh yeah leave Khole Kardashian alone. I think she is pretty.Ya’ll just hating on her because she just happens to be LO’s wife. And I bet you all wish your wife would stand by you like she stands by her man! LA PLEASE,PLEASE get LO back. This season has proved you need him. The fans want him back in LA and you should too.

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