Lamar Odom couldn't get the contract he wanted from the Lakers, so he just moved along to another contender — one that he used to call home.
The Associated Press reports that the Lakers forward and the Heat are discussing a five-year deal that could pay him about $35 million. Miami traded Odom to Los Angeles five years ago in a package for Shaquille O'Neal.
Because of Florida's lack of state taxes, the Heat may be able to afford the big contract Odom is seeking. Odom and L.A. were reportedly close to signing a deal last week, but the Lakers retracted their offer.
The 30-year-old Odom made $14.1 million in 2008-09.
According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the two sides butted heads on the length of the proposed deal; L.A. wasn't prepared to offer more than three years, and Odom wanted five.
"There are specifics behind why we pulled it, but that's not something we're going to get into," Lakers PR director John Black told ESPN.com.
Throughout his career, Odom has averaged 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. During L.A.'s playoff run in 2008-09, he averaged 12.3 points and 9.3 boards off the bench.
If Odom doesn't find welcoming arms in L.A., he certainly will in Miami; former teammate Dwyane Wade would love to have him back with the Heat.
"I want Lamar to do what's best for him and his family because we love him as a family, but on the other hand, we want him back home, to come home," the star guard told the AP. "Lamar and I always had a great relationship. He's always been the guy, one of the guys, that I really thought helped me as a young player."
According to coach Pat Riley, the Heat may also be pursuing Utah's Carlos Boozer, although they haven't entered any formal discussions yet.
