More on Lamar Odom
As more news emerges on the Lamar Odom negotiations I'm starting to worry like Trevor Ariza before him, that depending on your POV, LO is either overplaying his hand or pushing his luck. Both Elliott Teaford of the Daily News and Broderick Turner of the LAT report the Lakers offered Odom a choice of three years at $30 million, or four at $36 million. Apparently, the offers have been available for a week, but Odom and his agent, Jeff Schwartz, have been unresponsive.
This, and I can comfortably assume I'm soft-pedaling here, seems to have... um... annoyed Lakers owner Jerry Buss. Now both offers are off the table. The Lakers, Turner writes, believe they were more than fair, and seem confused as to why Odom didn't bite on either.
Frankly, given the market and LO's repeated declarations declarations- some delivered as recently as Monday night- that he wants to stay in LA, I understand the sentiment. Reportedly, Camp Odom is after a deal valued at $50 mil over five seasons... but he's not going to get it. From the Lakers, or anyone else. Given the market and free agent landscape, that kind of offer would be a major surprise. If I'm correct on that point (if I'm not, I'll be happy to apologize), Odom and Schwartz are at best trying to squeeze a few extra million out of the Lakers without much leverage to make it happen.***
Even more curious and potentially disappointing is this line from Turner's report: "Many in the Lakers' organization believe that Odom wants to accept Buss' offer -- and so do those close to Odom -- but he has failed to convince his agent."
Huh?
I'm not inside the process and don't know how true this is- Odom also makes it clear in his conversation with Andy Monday night he feels he has a certain value that deserves to be met, so I doubt he's without a role, here- but to whatever degree it is, there's no excuse. No player should ever have to convince his agent of anything. The agent's job is to serve the player, not the other way around.
UPDATE (9:05 am)- On the subject of LO being unable to "convince" Schwartz, Kurt at Forum Blue and Gold makes a great observation, one I didn't think of last night when I was writing: "That is how you communicate with a player through the media. You give
him an out — it’s not you, we still love you, it’s the agent. As many
have said, if Odom wanted to accept the deal, he just tells his agent
to and it’s over. This is on Odom, he chose not to." As we've talked about, rarely is something said by "sources" regarding a free agent that doesn't have some sort of meaning or motive behind it. This is a reasonable explanation for those comments worth considering.
I don't believe for a moment the events of Tuesday night mark the end of negotiations. Team Odom pushed early, Dr. Buss is very obviously pushing back. Hard. But while it isn't the same sport, remember too that last summer the Dodgers pulled a long-standing offer to Manny Ramirez and started the process from scratch. Last I checked, Manny is still LA's left fielder. This sort of thing happens. We'll know this is done when Odom is in another uniform and/or the Lakers have filled his position. And while I still believe Odom will be in purple and gold next season (though on a few levels it appears I was more optimistic earlier in the evening than I should have been), the news ain't good.
Dr. Buss wants to win, but like Baby, does not get put in a corner.
It's obviously difficult to evaluate a process that has yet to play out fully, but if Odom doesn't return to LA over what amounts to a relatively small disparity in money or because he and his agent overplayed his hand, I'll be extremely disappointed. This from a guy who has been among Odom's biggest supporters, or perhaps because of it. I like the guy on a personal level and place a huge value on what he brings to the Lakers both on and off the floor, but this is starting to remind me of a kid who decides to lick a flagpole in the middle of winter. At best it causes unnecessary pain, at worst he'll never taste his Fruit Loops again.
My dad often reminds me how in life, especially when it comes to financial decisions, the enemy of good is better. The Lakers offered Odom what seems to me to be a good deal.
I worry now that both sides will lose because Odom and Schwartz think they can do better.
BK
***Note: I didn't mention this originally, but as a few people (both readers and members of the media) have noted, the disparity in state income taxes is as far as I can tell a wrinkle worth considering. It's likely not a coincidence that the two teams with which Schwartz is said to have negotiated- Miami and Dallas- exist in states that are tax free. As I mentioned in the first incarnation of Odom Contract Reaction!, Odom is working to secure the best terms on what is likely to be his last large NBA contract. California is in many forms a high tax state, which makes a difference in the bottom line.
I don't add this to negate what I wrote above- I'll still be disappointed if LO passes up a competitive offer from the Lakers to play somewhere else (especially in, say, Portland, where he'd pay a rate similar to California), but the disparity in real dollars makes it a point important to pass along in the interests of fairness and complete information. Not all "same money" contracts are created equal. On the other hand, this is nothing new in the world of sports, every tax seems to have a work-around if you know the right buttons to push, and if income taxes were the only consideration for players, the Magic, Heat, Spurs, Mavs, and Rockets would get every free agent on the market.
By the way, if I'm misinterpreting this information, any of the CPA's in the crowd can feel free to correct me. I didn't major in accounting or tax policy. BK
bye lamar
Posted by: Brett | July 15, 2009 at 02:08 AM
Well... i think it is time to say goodbye to Lamar...
this has gone too long.. and i'm gettin tired of it.. i think Dr.Buss did the right thing.. we should be allright without Lamar..(we wont be as good but we'll be ok).. but I AM SURE THAT LAMAR WONT GET ANY RING OR TROPHY THIS YEAR PLAYIN OUTSIDE LA
GOOD BYE LAMAR...
ps: i wont be happy either if he's changing his mind and signed with the lakers.. a little bit too late.. dont like him anymore
Posted by: what is lamar doin??? | July 15, 2009 at 02:46 AM
there is no room for the greedy in purple and gold nation
bye lamar, enjoy your money
Posted by: domz | July 15, 2009 at 02:52 AM
C'mon, Lamar, don't be like another Trevor. Interest in getting a good deal is something, following on a bad deal maker is something else. You let go on the lakers, you let go on another chance in cementing your name in greatness. You go to another team and you cement your name in anonymity. Just another player who faded away in obscurity...in an obscure whatever team. Another great teammate who got swallowed up by inefficiencies of a so-so team. Go Bonk schwartz guy on the head and tell him what you really want. NOW!!!!
Posted by: Doceide | July 15, 2009 at 02:52 AM
Wow i don't get it how does Lamar feel he is worth so much they have been overpaying him for years and half the time he doesn't show up. He basically has a hard time playing with Kobe on the court and that is one reason they had him come off the bench. Fine let him sign and trade!
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | July 15, 2009 at 03:00 AM
Why the hell would he turn down 4 years, $36,000,000? And what is this BS about having to convince HIS agent?!? I'm very confused on these matters.
Posted by: euphoria | July 15, 2009 at 03:00 AM
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye! =|
Posted by: sophia | July 15, 2009 at 03:03 AM
AK and BK hi its been awhile don't post on the times that much it doesn't load very well and still mad that you guys got pulled for dodgers.
Have a great day
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | July 15, 2009 at 03:03 AM
you have got to be kidding me. another agent to fire on the damn spot. another player going from elite straight to mediocrity and the Nowhereland Nobodiers.
bye Lamar, good luck. such a disappointment.
Posted by: L.M. | July 15, 2009 at 03:14 AM
I really and truly, from the bottom of my heart mean this: FU Lamar.
That's all I got to say, except maybe that Lamar is so dumb he can taste it.
And greedy, too. And a BS liar. Are we stupid? We ALL heard Lamar say he'll take less to be a Laker and, man, has he not put his money where his mouth is.
We need to find a trade partner with the worst team in the NBA and send him there. As far as I'm concerned, all the good will he built up over the last year is gone. Gone like a mud slide.
What a greedy, self centered, greedy, greedy, spoiled brat. He turned down 4 years 36 million?
Wes to Lamar: FU!
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | July 15, 2009 at 03:20 AM
Is this guy Jeff Schwartz becoming another David Lee? This is getting ridiculous. If all this is true that Dr. Buss did offer such deals to LO, then LO has nobody to blame but himself and his agent. The Lakers, IMO, had offered more LO quite a generous deal. I'm wondering what's Mitch's backup plan if all this falls through and LO won't be a Laker next season. Who's taking his place? It's going to be quite a summer indeed.
Posted by: Exodus69 | July 15, 2009 at 03:23 AM
I think this issue is getting a little overblown--
An NBA gamecheck would be taxable in the state where it was earned. So LO would play 41 games in TX or FL that would be tax free. When the Mavs travel to Staples center CA is going to get their cut. Just like when the Lakers travel to Boston, the state of MA is waiting with their hand out.
CA does have a high tax rate (9.3%)
Let's assume the Lakers played all 82 games in CA. At $9M a year LO would pay $837K in state income taxes. By signing with a TX or FL team, Lamar would pay tax on essentially road games (I'm ignoring the fact that he would have road games within the state). So take 41 road games at $9M a year times a blended state rate of 5% and you get $225K. So realistically we are talking about a state tax savings of $400K-$700K a year. This is peanuts to LO and can be more than made up in advertising opportunities. Not to mention the difference in contract values is 4 to 5 times greater in LA than this tax savings.
This is a rough estimate but in my eyes this shouldn't be an issue.
I hope LO comes to his senses.
Feel free to correct me if someone sees an error in my logic here, I am mainly a corporate tax guy not an individual one.
Posted by: CPA on State Taxes | July 15, 2009 at 03:23 AM
I want so badly to say that the agents are out of control, but this disaster falls squarely on the hitherto admirable shoulders of Lamar Odom.
This one is all on him. I can't believe he's letting his agent decide his future.
This is the stuff dumb people do. No, not dumb people, dumb people do other, dumb stuff which doesn't include giving control of their lives and families to some business man.
No, this is the stuff the court orders to happen to people who aren't mentally capable of providing for themselves.
Lamar, you truly are the NBA's most dumb person, aren't you?
Dumb just got dumber.
Too bad dumb and dumber are the same person, they could be soul mates.
So dumb, even for Odom.
Lamar wants to sign, but his agent wont let him? Hehehehe. Lamar wants his children to go to the same school they've gone to for 4 years and keep the same friends, but his agent won't let him?
I'm so amazed by this horror show I can't turn it off or turn the volume down. I WANT to see how this plays out, how greed and stupidity can bring down a franchise and a player.
I will not look away.
And no anesthesia, please.
Your move Lamar. Oh, yeah, I forgot. It's hard to move without a backbone.
Your wiggle, Lamar.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | July 15, 2009 at 03:35 AM
Would be interesting to know what Plan B is -- I saw some very fascinating suggestions yesterday on the blog, particularly from LongTimeLakerFan.
Although I personally think the odds of a repeat are much better with Odom than without, it is all about risk and reward. Can Buss really pay as much as Odom wants for five years? Probably not in good conscience. Can Odom accept less than a five year deal, given his age and what will probably happen with the cap over the next year or two? Tough call.
As BK notes, this feels like deja vu all over again!
Posted by: teamn | July 15, 2009 at 03:36 AM
How about Lamar calls up his agent and says, "Get it done or you're fired."
How about that?
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | July 15, 2009 at 03:39 AM
Jerry Buss doesn't play. Remember Shaq? Bye Odom. You were good, but not worth 10 mil in my opinion.
Posted by: ignorance_intolerant | July 15, 2009 at 03:45 AM
I say the Lakers are ok to move on.. Lamar is good, but inconsistent. He will score 19 points one night, then he'll score 6 points the next. People forget about the Phoenix series(s) a couple of years ago when Odom DISAPPEARED and the 2007-2008 finals against Boston he did the same thing. We should put the onus on Bynum, sign Drew Gooden(for 2.5-3.0 mil), maybe add Mikki Moore(for 1m), and move on. Remember folks, we have Artest, who is an upgrade over Ariza.
Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Dave J | July 15, 2009 at 03:47 AM
I just can not believe how arrogant and greedy the players are in the NBA. The guy is being offered $9 to $10 mil in a year (depending on the deal he would choose) and he is still not taking it. Was it not less than 6 months ago that we all were asking for Lamar to be traded. Now, he thinks he is the MVP to the Lakers. I say the Lakers should go down to the MLE level of around $6 mil for 3 years (that is the max Lamar can get anywhere else) to teach this guy a lesson.
He forgets the fact that by offeing him $30 over 3 years, the Lakers are indeed taking a $60 million hit. That is money out of Mr. Buss' pocket. If I were Lamar, I would jump on it and in fact I would take the 4 year deal @ $36 or even a 5 year deal at $40-$42 mil. Let's not forget the fact that the Lakers made Lamar look good and not the other way around. Give him 2 days and then if he does not take the deal, sign a couple of other free agents out there for a lot less money.
Posted by: Al | July 15, 2009 at 03:55 AM
At this point I'll be really sad if the Lakers sign LO. I'll be really sad that Odom did not get what he wanted - money. If he signs with the Lakers, I'll know he would much rather be with another team making more money. I really hope he doesn't have to come back to LA.
GOOoooOOO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | July 15, 2009 at 04:07 AM
Please feel free to correct me...Im not joking....
If Lamar Odom was to join the Heat for the full MLE,what hope in hell does he have of beating the Celtics or the Magic or the Cavs?....Are you kidding me?...Is this guy and his agent for real?....I dont care if he got Charlie Vilanuava big contract...I dont care...At some point the player should be able (or to have the Ba-lls) to make the call....
You have 2 choices....Played or get played.....His agent is not as smart as some on this blog have claimed...His agent got played...And if anybody thinks Odom will be the winner out of this,you need to put that bottle down or go get another bottle....Sorry about this rant,but i cant help it...I felt bad when Farve left the Packers,but i got over it real quick...I am going to put my getting over powers to work...Man im really mad...what a load of junk....I hope this agent gets dropped really hard...
Lamar Odom ...WHAT ARE YOU DOING?........WHAT........
Posted by: Thirty2 | July 15, 2009 at 04:07 AM
Folks, don't just complain here, go to Lamar's website,
http://www.lamarodom.com/
and tell him he needs to show some love and tell his agent to agree. Either that or go there and tell him you won't buy his merchandise because he is just in it for the money and you can't be a fan of someone like that.
GOOOoooOOOO LAKERS BLOG CRUE !!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | July 15, 2009 at 04:14 AM
Wow.
Wonder what the Lakers backup plan is. David Lee?
Posted by: Korey | July 15, 2009 at 04:38 AM
"My dad often reminds me how in life, especially when it comes to financial decisions, the enemy of good is better."
This is really confusing, you may want to rephrase.
Also, I'm really disappointed about LO.
Posted by: jcoeisatwork | July 15, 2009 at 04:46 AM
sign and trade his ingrate a$$ outta town
Posted by: benj | July 15, 2009 at 04:48 AM
He's gone...no way he's comes back now. I just hope he goes to Miami and not Dallas or Portland. And a significant piece to our championship hopes go with him. I'm not so sure the celtics won't be the favorites to win it all now, and I think we'll see alot of critics claim the Spurs (gag) will be the favorites out of the west. Let's hope I'm just being a pessimist.
Posted by: Steve | July 15, 2009 at 04:53 AM
"If Lamar doesn't sign a $9 million contract within like a day, I'd pull the offer and and make a new offer.
$7 million per year, five years, player option at years 3 and 4.
That's about the best offer he's going to get anywhere else. It's getting close to time to put this punishment/incentive to work. The offer isn't going up and can only go down.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | July 14, 2009 at 08:07 AM "
I saw this coming. BK is correct in seeing this similar to Manny - the tough part is tht we're not even dealing with an all-star. He's also correct about the state tax issue, and I'd expect a comparable offer to compensate for it.
Having said this, I stand by my second prediction that the offers go DOWN from here. If he wants offers from 2-3 teams to compare, it will make it easier for the Lakers. Everyone else offers 6 mill, so we offer 7... Odom is only forcing a showdown, but he doesn't have the cards to win that way
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | July 15, 2009 at 04:54 AM
well we will see who blink first.
Posted by: Marvin | July 15, 2009 at 04:57 AM
The trouble with ego-filled negotiations is that nobody wants to be the "adult" first.
In those cases everybody loses as events start flowing out of control. Before you know it, Lamar is never again in contention for a ring...
and the Lakers have a bench that can only be described as mediocre, and they get to watch somebody else hoist the trophy next June -- and for a few Junes to come.
Without Odom, the Lakers finish third, maybe as far as fifth in the West.
That's a far cry from this dynasty that was supposedly hatching.
Posted by: Jerry | July 15, 2009 at 05:01 AM
v love Lamar Odom
thanks for sharing information with us..
___________________
Jessica
the best price for best entertainment
Posted by: Jessica | July 15, 2009 at 05:17 AM
the state tax issue isn't relevant...many players are legal residents of a different state than they play in, for exactly that reason...LO is already a legal resident of Florida...as was Shaq the whole time he was a Laker (he used to mention it every now and then in the media, as sort of reminder to the CA tax board to stay away from him)...
Posted by: Simon | July 15, 2009 at 05:21 AM
The Walton Bench Mob Era begins!
Walton
Sasha
Brown
Farmar
Powell
and Mbenga
Would be the worst bench in the NBA, maybe NBA history.
*Enjoy the giant Green asterisk on your title and get ready for second round (at best) elimination next season
Posted by: KobeHog | July 15, 2009 at 05:22 AM
i am not too upset about the possibility of lossing LO. too many inconsistent nights, up and down play, mental lapses, inconsistent perimeter shots and he is also not reliable on the free throw line. $9 million for this type of player, I think not and I think Dr. Buss did the right thing. We definitely should sign and trade...but for whom???
As always, I will remain a loyal Laker fan here in Michigan. Take care my brothers and sisters and please don't lose any sleep over this.
MichiganLaker
Posted by: michiganLaker | July 15, 2009 at 05:23 AM
Good read BK. I don't understand the athletes today, they're the talent...they have the power. Why bow down to idiots? Idiots that sabotage you more than they help you?
Frankly I'm starting to wonder what ever happened to winning above all. Not to mention being a man and standing up.
Posted by: Faith | July 15, 2009 at 05:25 AM
DON'T DO IT LAMAR!!!
Jerry Buss is fair, he's also a good businessman. He made a very strong offer to LO, more than I thought he should pay actually. If LO and his agent can't get comfortable with 36 million for 4 years, I'd say buh bye as well.
Time for LO to tell his agent to call it a day. Nobody is going to offer him a better deal than this one. If he wants to play in LA, he needs to accept this offer. If not, he's an idiot and a liar and only cares about the money. I don't think LO is either of those things, so I think he'll come around now. If not, he'll leave the Lakers for less money.
That would be tragic. Lamar doesn't need anymore sorrow, he needs to enjoy his life playing with Ron Ron and trying to win championships in the city he loves.
This is a no brainer. Lamar will be signing soon. Just don't see how this can get away. Lakers are playing this
fair and strong. Only bad guy if this goes south will be Lamar and his agent.
Sign on the line that is dotted Lamar!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mikefloss | July 15, 2009 at 05:28 AM
WOW, 3 years at 10 mil and 4 years at 9 mil...Buss is one of the best if not the best owners ever. Way MORE than fair. Later Lamar and oh yeah don't let your agent hit you on the backside.
Stupid Lamar....stupid..Stupid...STUPID.
Buss.....and Mitch my full and sincere appreciation. You more than treated the Lakers, Laker fans, AND Lamar right. Not anything more than you can do. You offered him way more than he could have gotten anywhere else. Applaud both the offers and now taking them off. If not Lamar directly but 'Team Lamar' treat you like they are, they do not deserve ANY offer now.
Go make 5 mil Lamar....in NBA no where land, it is what your stupidty deserves.
Posted by: LarryofLA | July 15, 2009 at 05:34 AM
On an earlier thread, I posted my thoughts that the position taken by Lamar and his agent were insane. Dr. Buss' move to pull a fair and reasonable offer off the table in light of the other side's intransigence supports my opinion.
It was interesting to monitor the posts throughout the day Tuesday. Without taking a hard count, it appears to this observer that as the day wore on, the tide here on the Blog seemed to be turning away from Lamar, just as it did in Dr. Buss' court.
As BK so astutely noted, as in the case with Manny, the Lakers' withdrawal of an offer doesn't mean "game over." But the message to Lamar is clear: Put up or shut up. Did Jeff Schwartz not see what happened to Trevor Ariza?
Allow me to disclose that I do not earn $9M a year, so my point of view is obviously skewed. That's plenty of candy bars. As a fan, I firmly believe that an offer to play for the Lakers has value in and of itself. The opportunity to play for Phil Jackson and with Kobe Bryant has value in and of itself.
If Odom chooses to play anonymously in the far reaches of the NBA shadows instead of in the spotlight of Staples Center, that's his choice. But it is a bad choice. As each hour passes without an acceptance of the Lakers' terms, the choice gets closer to being made for him.
As I've screamed at the TV more than once when Lamar's game turned comatose, "Wake up, Lamar!"
Posted by: Rick Friedman | July 15, 2009 at 05:44 AM
Those that don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. It seems beyond belief that Lamar could see what happened to Trevor and basically let a similar thing happen to him. There is a show whose Wedding is it anyway? Is it the bride and groom or the wedding planner, yeah ok I have watched one or two.
The point is with both Trev and Lamar it seems like their agents are in complete control and the players and their carrers are being held hostage. This is not going to work out well for you Lamar. Buss is NOT McCourt. He has what now 9 championships? I think those offers are gone...bye...bye. I truly believe the Lakers care for their players and make fair offers. When Buss gets treated like this, see yah.
For a couple of million Lamar LET his agent thwart more than fair offers to play where he would have had a lot of happiness? Don't cry for Lamar Los Angelenos..not what you do when someone shoots himself in the foot...with a golden bullet no less.
Posted by: LarryofLA | July 15, 2009 at 05:49 AM
How much smarter does Artest seem compared to both Ariza and Odom?
At least Artest is the one driving his own career. This handing over of one's career to an agent is beyond comprehension to me.
I don't get it. If Lamar sits by and does nothing now that the offer has been pulled--if he doesn't make his agent take one of the offers--I can't be on his side anymore. I can't support him, no matter how good he is.
9 million a year for 4 years isn't good enough?
3 years at 30 million + the first 2 years of the next contract he'll sign (mid level) will be about 47 million dollars.
If he signs a 5 year midlevel with another team like he's posturing to do, he'll make 32 million over that same 5 years.
That's a loss of 15 million, Lamar, though I know you can't count or read.
Good luck with that, my man.
Can people with tweet please tweeter Lamar with the word GREED.
Thanks.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | July 15, 2009 at 06:00 AM
What happened to the hometown deal Odom siad he would give? He IS overplaying his hand, and I do not blame Buss. Odom could order his agent to accept the offer. If Odom wants to go, then go. Ariza made a poor decision which Odom would then be emulating. It is easy on this blog to point the finger at Buss and spend HIS money. Let the hardball begin....
Posted by: rc | July 15, 2009 at 06:03 AM
We should see if we can trade AM, JF and 2nd round draft picks for Carlos Boozer.
Posted by: keen observer | July 15, 2009 at 06:06 AM
$9 Million a year for 4 years is a great offer.
What the hell is Odom thinking?
Is he so passive that he can't order his agent around? Common, Odom, stop being a numbskull, airhead. Show some balls.
Fire your agent.
Posted by: James Katt | July 15, 2009 at 06:07 AM
Mitch is not a passive G.M. He hasn't been idly wringing his hands all week. I bet we start hearing substantial rumors about sign and trades in the next 48 hours.
So Lamar is back or Boozer(?) is a Laker by the end of the week.
Posted by: CarlosB | July 15, 2009 at 06:17 AM
Take the money LO!!!!
It's a luxury for a team to pay 9M+++ for a 6th man.
Posted by: PipoY | July 15, 2009 at 06:26 AM
Wow, I'm really glad all of this information is finally out. Personally, I think both of those offers were more than reasonable and completely discredit the rumor that the Lakers were in the $7mil range.
Lamar needs to look at the Ariza situation and reign in his agent if he's the one controlling all of this. If he does choose to go elsewhere for less money, so be it. I'm sure we can find a suitable replacement for a 6th man.
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | July 15, 2009 at 06:27 AM
See ya!
Posted by: Don Smith | July 15, 2009 at 06:39 AM
Sad news indeed. Perhaps LO has a change of heart and goes for the "Pot of Gold" instead of follow-up with his post Finals' oral comment.
Perhaps LO and his agent would come to some sense this week and accepting the Lakers' more than fair equitable and fair offer made to him this week.
Posted by: Wallace | July 15, 2009 at 06:46 AM
BK,
As I said yesterday, 5 yearsfor $50 million is a non starter. for the Lakers. It won;t happen. I also said I'd rather overpay in shorter, 2-3 year deal to keep a key piece of a championship team, and Bynum insurance, than take on a long term deal on an soon to be aging player whose reputation for working hard is not great. And if it is longer term, it has to be for less money per year.
Well, there it all is in the Lakers' offer. $10 million for 3 years is, in this evironment, overpaying for Odom on a shorter deal. It is, actually, a better offer than I assumed was on the table for LO. And he can add a year, but it costs him $2 million/year.
This is as good an offer as LO can expect to get anywhere. If he wants to play, here s chance to win and to play in LA. I honestly don't see why he hasn't snapped up this offer.
His agent is talking LA for granted and playing the field. Buss was right to snap the offer off the table and create a little urgency. If we lose LO now, it will be a lifestyle choice for him. Maybe he wants to be in Miami. Maybe now that he has a title he's not hungry for another. Who knows.
But LO said he wanted to be back and he has beeen given every chance to return. It's time to call Dr. Buss and tell him "I'm reeady to sign, let's go."
CA income taxes on a guy like Lamar are huge (12% on top of federal taxes last time I looked). But come on, $10 million for 3 years and playing for a contender is a good deal. If he leaves now, he wants to leave.
Posted by: Tom Daniels | July 15, 2009 at 06:51 AM
Now, even more so - adios, Lamar.
I hope you and your agent live happily ever after.
Posted by: lurker | July 15, 2009 at 06:54 AM
And don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Posted by: rudylarusso | July 15, 2009 at 06:54 AM
Lamar like Ariza is too greedy for his own good, how many people are suffering out there now bec they don't hava any money, they don't have any way of getting the most basic needs of a person to survive in day. An here we are these spoil bunch of players getting to do what they love most and getting paid for it, worry about getting more more more and more. Hey Lamar many people are starving out there and that is the real world!!!! Greed might pay off in this life, but not the next. Thinks about that, and think of how lucky are, quit being a fool change your greedy ways!!!!
Posted by: Frankie | July 15, 2009 at 06:58 AM