There’s no guarantee Lamar Odom will be wearing purple and gold next season.
According to the Orange County Register,
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak is “not hopeful” about re-signing the
free-agent forward. Kupchak states that the team and Odom’s agent, Jeff
Schwartz, “are not on the same page,” and no further talks are planned.
The Lakers reportedly have offered Odom upwards of $8 million for
the 2009-10 season, but Odom and Schwartz are seeking $10 million.
Still, Odom doesn’t sound like he wants to leave Los Angeles.
“The negotiations always take a while,” he said in a video aired on the Register’s blog.
“We’re getting closer and closer to it. Hopefully, sometime soon, both
parties will come together and reach an agreement. It’s part of the
business of basketball. It’s something we try to stay away from, but
sometimes it happens. It’s business.”
Odom’s teammates would like to see him back, too.
“I’m crossing my fingers that they can work something out because Lamar brings a lot to this team,” Lakers forward Luke Walton
told the Register. “His versatility on the court is unbelievable. What
he brings to this team in the locker room and off the court is
valuable. We’re all hoping he gets back.”
“Lamar is a good friend of mine and talent-wise, one of the best in the league,” added L.A. guard Jordan Farmar. “He’s a valuable talent in this league, and he’ll get what he deserves.”
Whether Kupchak will be the one to reward him remains to be seen.
