Lakers Rumors: Lamar Odom Not Reporting to Camp, Trade Request Possible

Lamar Odom had some disturbing news following the blocked trade that would have sent him to New Orleans as part of a deal for Chris Paul. In an LA Times interview, Odom said, "Maybe I’ll see you there tomorrow [at practice]. But I doubt it. You don’t want to go to no place you’re not wanted. I’ll try to give them what they want as much as possible."

That doesn't sound promising if you're a Lakers fan. 

I get that Odom feels hurt, and I get why he feels hurt. He helped the Lakers to win two world championships, and the first time the winds start to blow wrong, they ship him out. 

The reality is that that's professional sports. Odom is a nice player, but he's not an untouchable player, and he's not a young player. That means he's a tradeable player. 

He's a 32-year-old man, not the last kid picked in a fourth-grade game of dodge ball. This is not the time for pouting and feeling sorry for yourself. It's time to play basketball. He's the reigning sixth-man of the year. 

So be a man Lamar, not a child. 

Lamar Odom might request a trade, but if he does, he shouldn't do it from home, he should do it from the gym. 

NBA players need to stop these antics. They're under a contract they signed. Things aren't going to get better or go away because they aren't fulfilling their contractual obligations. 

If he wants a trade, that's fine. Go to training camp, though, and ask for one. Teams aren't going to want a player that refuses to show up to camp.