Lakers News: Lakers reportedly discussing plans to sign Lamar Odom so he can retire with franchise

A key member of two title teams for the Los Angeles Lakers may be on his way to getting the proper sendoff he deserves. Lamar Odom is expected to eventually sign a training camp contract with the Lakers before officially retiring with the franchise, reports Shams Charania of The Vertical.

The Lakers and Odom have discussed plans to give one of the purple and gold’s greats a chance to retire with the team he helped string together three straight trips to the NBA Finals. Odom’s time with the Lakers ended after he reportedly demanded a trade following the Chris Paul veto, ending a remarkable seven-season run.

“That trade from the Lakers basically ended my career and purpose. I was never really myself ever again. Being in L.A., the structure, the people I knew, it hurt leaving. I had great memories with the Lakers, with Kobe and Pau. That was a special time in my life,” Odom told Charania.

Odom was never Odom again following that trade, going through a tumultuous season with the Dallas Mavericks despite being crowned Sixth Man of the Year months prior. His life continued to spiral out of control, and only recently has Odom been seen in the spotlight more following his near-death experience.

Odom was an incredible, versatile forward that was ahead of his time as a big man with handles and floor spacing. The Lakers allowing him to retire as a member of the franchise he was so important to — something he told Charania isn’t for himself, but his loved ones and fans — is only right.

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