Report: Frustrated Lakers pull offer to Odom
it seems to good to be true
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=2009vegassummerleagueschedule
Without Odom, the Lakers go from favorites for the title to possibly behind Boston, San Antonio, Cleveland, Orlando, and Denver. Those five teams all got better this offseason (or at least tried to), and if LA loses Lamar, they'll be worse despite the Artest-Ariza upgrade. I think we'll be getting a lot more of this story. Only a contending team would want a veteran like Odom and those teams don't really have much money now. I personally think the Lakers will up their offer a little to keep him, but since the Mavs won't be getting Gortat, that's a team that makes sense to me.
Those are actually great numbers salary wise for a guy like Odom. I honestly think 8 million is fair for Odom. To me 9 million a year is a compromise, so it seems crazy he wouldn't take it. That's a lot of money for a guy that will at times be the 3rd, 4th and possibly the 5th option some nights if Bynum gets it together. He does a lot, but he is horribly inconsistent and he would still be making a lot of money. That's really fair considering that he's getting paid more than Artest. To me it comes down to either wanting to win or get paid. If you can do both, then great, but he was in a great position to try to win another title.
This tends to happen to teams that win championships though. It's hard to keep everyone together because it raises everyone's value. Just like when the Celtics lost Posey. I hate to tell anyone to take less money, but I honestly thought Kobe should have opted out and immediately signed for slightly less money to help with the signings. I think the guys for the Celtics would have done so to win a championship. A lot of the Spurs take less money to stay with that team in order to be in the race to win a championship every year.
Other than Oklahoma I THINK, there are no other teams that can offer him the contract he's looking for. I just don't understand why his camp is playing hard ball. 8-9 million a year for 3-4 years is a great offer. Hopefully, he comes to his senses and they get this taken care of. He's a perfect fit for the Lakers.
The Heat are likely going to negotiate with him to at least prove they are trying to sign some talent for Wade, but ultimately he will probably end up in a Lakers Jersey. I jus can't see another team offering him more mone than the Lakers and more of a chance to contend.
looks like odom wont be back either.