Lakers Sends Odom To Dallas

In my previous post, I mentioned about the trade-that-was-killed involving the Hornets, Rockets and Lakers.  To view the post, click here.  After it was killed, Odom apparently was so mad with the Lakers that he didn't show up for the first day of training camp.  He then requested a trade after a meeting with general manager Mitch Kupchak.  Odom posted on his twitter page after the trade fell through:

Well, Odom got his wish when he was shipped to the Dallas Mavericks Last Sunday night.  The Mavs did not release any player in exchange for Odom except for a trade exception, which everyone thinks the Lakers will use to acquire Dwight Howard.  Whatever the case, several Lakers' players expressed their anger regarding the trade.  Kobe Bryant said when interview, “To be honest with you, I don’t like it ... It’s tough to lose Lamar. Pau is still here, and we’re all thankful for that. It’s hard when you’ve been through so many battles with players to just see them go somewhere else. It’s tough.”  Bryant said he hated Odom leaving.  Even more so that Odom is sent to the Mavs, the team that swept them last year in the playoffs.  “Especially to them. We were supposed to come back and get them back. It’s tough. … Do I think we got too little? Who did we get? I don’t think Mark Cuban is protesting this trade.” Bryant said.  Regardless, the Lakers are now less one star that could help them get to the championship this year.

Lamar Odom has had a solid career while playing for the Lakers.  Over his 7 years playing for the Lakers, he averaged over 13 ppg, over 9 rpg and was awarded the Sixth-Man of The Year award last season.  He was part of the team that won back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.  He has also embraced the Hollywood lifestyle, having married one of the Kardashian sisters, Khloe.  Both of them have their own show, Khloe and Lamar.  Lamar also appears from time to time in the hit reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians.  LA has grown to love Odom over the years and the news that he got traded would clearly anger a lot of LA fans.

On the bright side, the Mavs got a very good addition to their team in Odom without having to give up virtually anyone.  You could just imagine the grin on Mark Cuban's face when the trade was finalize.  I mean, who wouldn't want to get an all-star caliber player without giving up your own star.  

Having said all those things, I will closely follow the developments of both teams as the season nears.  In the meantime, to get updates on the latest trades and signings, click here.

By the way, this is how Odom looks in a Mavs uni:

Does he look good in a Mavericks uni? What do you think? Write your thoughts in the comments section.