The Lakers news has swirled around Lamar Odom over the past couple weeks, and heightened to new levels amidst the rumors regarding Odom’s alleged drug abuse, including a report that Lakers general manger Mitch Kupchak offered Odom a roster spot should he check himself into rehab.
Per team source, there was no such conversation between Kupchak and Odom’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, about re-joining the team. The Lakers organization still thinks very fondly of Odom and is genuinely concerned for his well-being. However, the story that a Lakers roster spot would be waiting for Odom should he complete treatment at a rehabilitation center is not true.
The rumor broke this morning when RadarOnline.com reported that Mitch Kupchak had a conversation with Odom’s agent, Jeff Schwartz. The website reported that the Lakers essentially offered Odom a roster spot, under the condition that he would immediately check himself into a rehabilitation center for his drug abuse. The report said a roster spot would be waiting for Lamar after he completed his treatment. The following is this morning’s report via RadarOnline.com:
“Mitch Kupchak, the general manager of the Lakers, offered the sensational lifeline to 33-year-old Odom’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, “because the organization and the Buss family are extremely concerned about him,” according to a source with knowledge of the situation, who spoke exclusively to RadarOnline.com.”
A league source told the L.A. Daily News yesterday, that after acquiring former Laker Antawn Jamison, the Clippers are no longer interested in re-signing the versatile forward. The Lakers did meet with Odom at the beginning of July, but reports of the Lakers interest fizzled out even before the rumors of Odom’s drug use.
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