Odom Chooses Lakers Over Heat, Blazers

The World Famous LayupDrill Rumor Mill
7/30/09

One of the most coveted free agents left out there is returning home, after nearly a month of doubt. First reported by our friends at BlackSportsOnline.com, Lamar Odom will sign a four year contract, with the fourth year being the team option. While the exact dollar amounts are not yet official, ESPN reports the total of the contract would be $33 million dollars. Odom, who was sought after by the Miami Heat as well as the Portland Trailblazers, will head back to L.A, and give the Lakers a decided advantage in their hopes of repeating as champions next season.

In other news, the Toronto Raptors made their team even stronger today, by acquiring the services of former Warriors swingman Marco Bellinelli for Deavan George and cash. Both teams believe they fill voids with this deal. The Raptors add another versatile wing player who will benefit from playing alongside Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu, while the Warriors gain another veteran presence in a young locker room.

The Memphis Grizzlies had an interesting decision to make earlier this month. Reports state the Grizz had a chance to land Jazz forward Carlos Boozer, however management felt he would not be someone wanting to play in their city, and opted to trade for Zach Randolph. Randolph has said all the right things since being traded to Memphis and should relish in the role as primary post scoring option.

It looks like we won’t be seeing Ricky Rubio in the NBA for at least two seasons. Reports from Spain indicate Rubio is close to signing a five year deal with FC Barcelona, which would pay him $1.4 million dollars a season. Rubio would have a clause in his deal that would allow him to opt out, only to head to the NBA after that time.