Lakers Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Would Be Wise to Explore Lamar Odom Reunion

If the NBA permits, the Los Angeles Lakers should try to reacquire Lamar Odom. Ric Bucher of ESPN.com said this today: 

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I'm told that Lamar Odom is desperate to go back to L.A. The Lakers will not take him. 

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The Lakers do have a need for a SF/PF off the bench or as a starter. Odom still has the ability to be that type of player. In his time with the Lakers, Odom averaged 14 points and 9.4 rebounds in seven seasons.

Los Angeles could use a player like that in their current rotation of players.

The Lakers have had trades thwarted by the NBA before, so it is unclear whether Odom would be allowed to be traded back to the Lakers.

If it is within the rules, it is a low-risk way for the Lakers to address one of their needs.

I think Odom would benefit from the familiar surroundings in Los Angeles and that he would return to the form that attracted the Mavs to him originally.

Basketball is obviously about being a great athlete, but at the pro level, almost every player is a great athlete. The advantages become mental, and mentally, Odom is out of sorts. He has not adjusted to a new team, city, etc very well.

I don't think it's a major reach to expect him to play at a high level upon his return to his old digs.

Bringing Odom back would also make Kobe Bryant happy. Kobe was clearly upset that the team had parted with his friend and longtime teammate. With the Lakers still in the hunt in the Western Conference, bringing Odom back would be a nice low-risk appeasing gesture to Bryant.

Odom is still a free agent at the end of the year, so there is still no long-term commitment being made. If they are unable to make the big trade they want to make before the deadline, the trade exception they received for Odom is for naught. 

Bringing Odom back sends a message to Bryant that the team is surrounding him with the players he feels most comfortable with.

At some point, the team will have to transition away from Bryant, but for now, it's still about him. The best way for this team to be effective, if they can't make the big splash for Dwight Howard, is to strengthen the core with versatility and solid chemistry.

Odom offers the Lakers both.