Lamar Odom Trade Rumors: Clippers In Talks With Mavericks

By John Talty | June 27 2012 10:35 AM

The Los Angeles Clippers have engaged in trade talks with the Dallas Mavericks to bring disgruntled forward Lamar Odom back to Los Angeles.

Reuters

The 2011 Sixth Man of the Year is still as versatile a player as they come, having averaged 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds for his career.

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ESPN reports that the two teams have discussed a trade involving Odom, who struggled mightily in his lone season with the Mavericks, but that the deal might need a third trading partner to take Mo Williams.

If the teams are unable to reach to reach a deal before Friday, the Mavericks are expected to release Odom rather than keep him for the last year of his contract.

If Odom is released, the Clippers will likely be joined by the New York Knicks and Miami Heat as potential suitors for the former All-Star, but his preference seems to be heading back to Los Angeles. He was drafted by the Clippers with the No. 4 pick in 1999 and spent four seasons with the team before joining the Miami Heat.

Last week RadarOnline reported that Odom was already negotiating with the Clippers and that he and his famous wife, Khloe Kardashian, were excited about a return to Hollywood.

Lamar's agent is in talks with the Clippers, a source close to the NBA star told RadarOnline.com. He and Khloe are thrilled that he'll be returning to the team and that they will get to stay in LA and be close to their families.

Lamar wants to return to Los Angeles and the Clippers want him. They just need to work out finances and contractual issues.

The former Sixth Man of the Year had a disastrous season with Dallas, averaging career lows of 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He is known as a talented, but high strung player that could add some versatility and leadership to the young Lob City Clippers.

Odom has also been rumored to be interested in joining the New York Knicks, according to ESPN. A source close to Odom told the outlet that the Knicks would be on the top of his list because he knows he could be comfortable playing in New York City.