Lamar Odom Career Over? Teams Feign Interest as Sources Say NBAer is Focused on His Marriage
In recent months news has swirled around the alleged infidelity Lamar Odom engaged in while married to reality television star Khloe Kardashian, but now news is shifting and focused on Odom's future in the NBA.
Odom was officially off of the Los Angeles Clipper's roster as of July 1, 2013, the director of communications for the team, Seth Burton, revealed and with the end of his contract comes speculation that Odom had already played his last professional basketball game.
"There's an old saying in the NBA: Are you more valuable than your problems? And it's just reached the point with Lamar where he is not more valuable than his problems," an NBA insider told People magazine.
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"Up until about two years ago, Lamar Odom was averaging about 15 points and eight rebounds a game and you know what? You deal with his off-court problems for that. When Lamar Odom averages four points a game, he's not worth the problems."
September is usually when players begin to return to their respective teams and begin preseason training, but for Odom he his waiting on the sidelines to see if any team will make an offer for the NBA veteran.
"It's almost Labor Day weekend and players are starting to return to their teams, and Lamar doesn't have a team," the source added. "He's gone from making $8.5 million last year to being out of work at this point."
Still, with all the off-court developments, those close to the situation are supportive of Odom who has been focusing on his marriage and health and not worrying too much on whether or not he will play basketball this year.
"Really, basketball's not even on Lamar's mind. He's got bigger issues now, bigger than playing basketball. How can he even think about that when his life is not right. Priorities come and instead of having the basketball in both his hands, he needs to have a tight grip on his life and these issues he's been having. That's where is head is and I think it's a good thing," the source concluded.
