LA Lakers: Lamar Odom Will Remain with the Lakers for 09-10 Season







{31st July 2009 11:17 GMT}
Journalist: Anthony Januszewski

After much talk on deals with LA Lakers, Lamar Odom considered to be a major part in the team's Championship win this year will be playing for the team for the next season

In the 09-10 Season ahead, the Los Angeles Lakers will still have one of their main players in the team to help them defend their title.

After a months worth of agony for the Lakers, Free agent Lamar Odom will return to the Lakers for the next season with a multiple year contract after rejecting the Miami Heat's five year $34 Million offer. Also gaining Ron Artest early on in the free agent trade period but losing Trevor Ariza to the Rockets which some have described as as essentially a trade.

But the Lakers are over the moon to have Odom, the 29 Year old Forward back in their team. After serious worries that Kobe Bryant would not sign his extension due to waiting on Odoms decision it was a more serious issue than losing just the one key player. Kobe has been clear that Odoms return was essential to the team.

Over the last few weeks Odom and the Lakers have been debating over his new deal with offers such as $27 Million for three years and $36 million for four. After making no apparent impact on Odom, Jerry Buss the LA Lakers' owner took both deals away and the negotiations stopped for a few days.

Odom averaged an 11.3 points and 8.2 rebounds last season. The team always saw him as a starter and with his length and versatility, in combination with Center Pau Gasol, made the Lakers a powerful force to defend.



Subscribe to our News Feed to hear more LA Lakers' and other Basketball and sport news