NBA Trade Rumors: Lamar Odom Would Be Great Low-Risk Addition for LA Clippers

It is no secret that veteran forward Lamar Odom struggled this past season with the Dallas Mavericks and is in search of a fresh start. Odom's NBA career began with the Los Angeles Clippers, and if the Clippers have their way, then Odom's career may come full circle.

According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, sources are reporting that the Clippers are interested in filling a void in their frontcourt by acquiring Odom. The Clippers would likely send guard Mo Williams to Dallas in a potential trade, although the Mavs reportedly want to get a third team involved in the deal.

Odom had the worst season of his career by a mile this past year, as he averaged a mere 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, but I have a hard time believing it was due to an erosion of skills. Odom was clearly never happy in Dallas and he had essentially become subordinate by the end of the season, prompting the Mavericks to deactivate him late in the year.

He was clearly devastated when he was dealt from the Los Angeles Lakers, and constantly talked about how he had grown up in L.A. and how much he loved it there. Odom has spent 11 seasons of his career in Los Angeles between the Lakers and Clippers, so there is no doubt that it would be a good fit for him and the Clippers' organization.

Odom is 32 years old, so his ability is bound to drop off at some point, but his production wasn't cut in half this past season merely because he got another year older. Odom is the classic case of a player that is essentially useless in Dallas, but could be a difference maker for the Clippers. Los Angeles is actually in the driver's seat when it comes to a potential deal because if the Mavs can't trade Odom, then they'll probably have to buy him out.

Both Odom and Williams have a little over $8 million and one year remaining on their respective contracts, so a swap of them makes sense. I'm not quite sure why the Mavericks want another team in the deal because this would work for both sides. The Mavericks get rid of a cancer, while the Clippers fortify their front line. Also, the Mavericks would be getting a combo guard in Williams who can take the place of Jason Terry if he signs elsewhere.

The Clippers already have DeAndre Jordan at center and Blake Griffin at power forward, but Odom is a utility guy who can play 25-30 minutes per night as a power forward, small forward or center at various times during the game. That would take a lot of pressure off of the Clippers' starters, and give them a guy who knows what it takes to win the NBA Championship.

Even if Odom doesn't work out for the Clippers, they wouldn't be losing out on the deal. They would be trading an expiring contract for an expiring contract and they could wash their hands clean of Odom during the offseason. If it comes to a point where the Clippers can get Odom for Williams straight up, there isn't really any reason for them not to pull the trigger.

A motivated Odom is still a very valuable player in the league, and I get the feeling that Odom would have new life breathed into him if he gets traded back to L.A. The Clippers don't have a pick in the draft until No. 53, so Odom is their best and only option to improve immediately at this point.

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