Lamar Odom Re-Signs With Lakers

The strong just got stronger.

Apparently the Miami Heat didn't have enough muscle. Or something to that effect.

One way or another, it didn't turn out to be all about money for Lamar Odom.

Odom, an under-rated role player with exciting versatility, finally signed a multi-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after weeks of back-and-forth negotiations between Odom and both L.A. and Miami.

The deal was worth $36 million and was spread over three guaranteed years, as well as a fourth year under the contract as an option.

After only losing Trevor Ariza and then landing Ron Artest, Odom felt the Lakers, who won last year's championship, were set and ready for another.

He might be right.

While the Lakers would have been definite title contenders for next season, they weren't shoe-ins to win it.

Teams like Cleveland, Orlando, San Antonio, and Dallas have all done a lot of damage in the draft, free agency, and via trade.

After seeing several teams play catch-up with them, the Lakers front office realized that to remain ahead of the curve, they would have to keep their versatile energy guy.

Odom brings so much intensity and toughness off the bench. He packages elite offensive skills with great defense and rebounding. He was the exact piece in L.A.'s run they could ill afford to lose.

Now that the Lakers have all of their pieces in place, including head coach Phil Jackson, there doesn't seem to be many other teams who can match them.