ESPN's Marc Stein reported Monday (late Monday, PHL time) that the reigning NBA champions Dallas Mavericks and forward Lamar Odom have worked out an amicable split, with Odom leaving the team for the rest of the season.
The two sides reportedly worked out an agreement on Sunday (Monday, PHL time). Uniquely, Odom was not released by the squad, but will no longer be part of the team's roster for the remainder of the season, with the Mavericks listing him as "inactive."
In a statement to ESPN, Odom said, "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's contract currently has one more year beyond this season at $8.2 million, but the team has a $2.4 million buyout option that can be exercised until June 29 (June 30, PHL time). That makes him an attractive trade option for a squad looking for a veteran forward, or a way to clear cap space.
The Mavs and Odom likely discussed the possibility of a simple buyout, but because it would have come after the March 23 (March 24, PHL time) deadline for waived players to become eligible for playoff rosters, such a path would have been less appealing for the 6'10" Odom.
Dallas acquired Odom in the off-season, sending a trade exception created by center Tyson Chandler's departure to the New York Knicks, to the Los Angeles Lakers. Odom had demanded a trade after this name was included in an initial deal for then-New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul. That deal was later vetoed by NBA commissioner David Stern, acting as owner for the league-owned Hornets.
Last season's NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Odom played in 50 games before his dismissal, generating career-low numbers in multiple categories. On average, saw the floor for just 20 minutes, and logged 6.6 points on 35.2 percent field goal shooting, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists, all of which were staggering departures from his numbers with the Lakers.
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