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The Los Angeles Lakers are not interested in signing free agent Lamar Odom, according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. The Lakers had reached out to Odom shortly after the 2013 free agency period began, but there were no reports of talks advancing beyond an exploratory phase.
The Lakers had "some interest" in acquiring Odom and had talks with him in early July, but the team no longer has any interest in acquiring him, according to a league source familiar with the discussions.
A source close to Odom informed Jared Zwerling of ESPN that he was interested in returning to the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Clippers had also expressed interest in re-signing Odom, but could be moving away from bringing back the troubled veteran forward. Former Laker Antawn Jamison is now close to a deal with the Clippers, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
Odom's personal life is currently clouded as he allegedly deals with a drug abuse problem that was first reported by TMZ. ESPN has since confirmed the report while adding that Odom is staying in a hotel while friends attempt to find him help for an "unspecified" drug problem.
The 2011 Sixth Man of the Year averaged career-lows in minutes, points and assists per game while with the Clippers through 2012-2013. Odom still "aspires" to play in the NBA in 2013-2014, according to his agent Jeff Schwartz. Odom will turn 34 during the upcoming season, which will be his 15th in the league if a team signs him.