Lamar Odom: Why Disgruntled Vet Could Reunite with Lakers or Heat Next Season

There is a good chance that Lamar Odom will be wearing familiar colors next season. That could be the purple and gold of the Los Angeles Lakers, or the red and black of the Miami Heat. 

One thing is for certain, it is not going to be the blue and white of the Dallas Mavericks. With just nine games left in their regular season, the Dallas Mavericks placed Lamar Odom on the inactive list. 

This ends Lamar's season and will eventually lead to the end of his career as a Maverick. Dallas likely chose to go this route as they'd still have the opportunity to trade him prior to or at the draft. If they are able to move him, a return to LA or Miami is a longshot. 

However, if they do not find a partner, look for the Mavericks to buy Odom out of his contract and for the free agent to start looking for a new team. 

According to Odom, the decision was mutual. Odom was quoted by Marc Stein on ESPN.com: 

"

The Mavericks and I have mutually agreed that it's in the best interest of both parties for me to step away from the team.

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Odom's numbers were way down in Dallas as he struggled to find his role and get comfortable in his new surroundings.This would not be a problem in LA or Miami. 

Why LA and Miami Make Sense for Odom

Both places would reduce any period it would take him to adjust. He would be able to almost instantly feel comfortable and focus on basketball. 

They also need the depth and versatility. The Lakers bench has been an absolute disaster without Odom. And the Heat could certainly use his versatility and scoring to help lead their second unit. 

This would require Odom returning to teams that traded him away, but the benefits of this return will help him see that those were just business decisions. 

That will be much easier with the Heat. Being traded from LA is likely still a sore spot for Odom, but his former teammates will help him get past that. Just check out Kobe Bryant's recent comments, quoted by Stein, after a game against Odom and the Mavericks. 

"

It's tough. He comes to a team that's pretty much set, you know what I mean? So it's hard for him to find his niche. The fans, they don't really understand what he does or how he can do it, you know what I mean?

I hope they don't unlock that mystery. I know. I know how to use him and to use his skill set and this, that and the other. But with this team, the roster that they had being pretty much set, it's tough for him to be able to find his groove here.

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I think Kobe was already making his sales pitch! 

When it comes down to Odom deciding where to play, look for him to go to familiar surroundings. He struggled with adjusting to a new situation this season, and the thought of returning to something familiar is sure to look tantalizingly appealing.