Lamar Odom Cut From NY Knicks, Didn't 'Uphold Standards,' Phil Jackson Says

By Christine Thomasos, Christian Post Reporter Monday, July 14, 2014

Lamar Odom has officially been dropped by the New York Knicks.

Odom, the 34-year-old former NBA forward, became a member of the team on its last day of the 2013-2014 basketball season. Odom didn't suit up for the team's final game of the season, but the Knicks reportedly had bigger plans to work with him during the offseason in hopes of utilizing him next season, ESPN reported.

Now, Knicks president Phil Jackson is reportedly saying Odom did not meet the standards of the NBA.

"Unfortunately, Lamar was unable to uphold the standards to return as an NBA player," Jackson said, according to Newsday reports. "We found it necessary to free up the roster spot."

Jackson coached Odom previously on the Los Angeles Lakers. ESPN previously reported plans for the team to see if Odom can earn his roster spot, which did not pan out.

"The Knicks, sources say, would want to use the extra time to see if they can get Odom to the point, physically and mentally, where the talented but enigmatic lefty is worthy of a roster spot next season," ESPN previously reported when Odom was welcomed to the team last April.

Odom has played with the L.A. Clippers, Miami, L.A. Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. He has a career average of 13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 33.4 minutes in 961 games over the span of 14 seasons.

However, during his last year in the NBA with the Clippers for the 2012-2013 season, Odom only averaged 4.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists over 19.7 minutes in 82 games.

Earlier this year, Odom played in two games for a Baskonia basketball club in Spain before a back injury left him permanently sidelined for the remainder of the season.