NBA Trade Rumors: Lamar Odom Could Help Clippers Take Next Step

Lamar Odom's career is potentially coming full circle with the rumored return to the Los Angeles Clippers. Unfortunately they won't be getting nearly the same player that he was when first there before the turn of the century; even if he still can be a valuable contributor to a contender. 

The Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko reports that Odom could soon be shipped off to the Clippers, leaving behind his tumultuous single season with the Dallas Mavericks as a result.

According to Sefko's unnamed NBA source, the Mavericks would be receiving a trade exception from the Utah Jazz; one that was acquired through the Mehmet Okur deal from last season. They'd be sending Odom to the Clippers and L.A. would trade Mo Williams to the Jazz in this three-team trade.

A motivated Odom is still a dangerous player; as evidenced by his stats with the Los Angeles Lakers before he was moved to the Mavs. During the 2010-2011 season, Odom averaged 14.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game despite coming off the bench for the majority of the season.

Now, his numbers this year are a far cry from those with the Lakers, but Odom isn't old enough for that sort of precipitous decline to be a result of age or decreasing skills. The far more likely explanation is simply that he didn't want to play for the Mavericks and didn't try whatsoever.

Odom is still only 32 years old and although he's out of the prime of his career, he's still got the potential to be a valuable piece of a championship puzzle.

The deal depends on whether or not Williams decides to exercise his option for $8.5 million next season, but Clippers officials remain confident that he will do so before the Saturday deadline, according to the Los Angeles Times' Broderick Turner.  

So, what does this do for the Clippers, who advanced through the first round of the playoffs before they were swept by the juggernaut that was the pre-Western Conference finals San Antonio Spurs? 

While the Clippers were at their best in transition, the offense often stagnated when Vinny Del Negro was forced to come up with half-court sets. As good as Chris Paul may be, the offense often revolved around isolation plays for him in crunch time and he can't single-handedly create the ball movement necessary for the offense to succeed at all times. 

Odom's specialty is his versatility. He used to be considered a potential point-forward and possesses facilitating ability that shouldn't fit in with his 6'10" frame and power forward title. 

He has outstanding ball-handling skills and above-average court vision from the forward spot, allowing him to lineup at small forward and create a monstrous mismatch at the position. 

Due to Caron Butler's lackluster year manning the 3 for the Clippers, that's where they could use the most help. 

It would be easy for the Clippers to keep Odom motivated and happy. He's used to playing in Los Angeles and going to work alongside the league's best point guard and a young dunking machine like Blake Griffin has to be enjoyable. 

Seeing as the Clippers would only be losing Williams, this is a low-risk move that they have to make. It could be the deal that pushes them over the top and makes them true contenders in the West.