Lamar Odom to Mavericks: Trade from Lakers Is Best Move Possible for Both Teams

The Los Angeles Lakers made headlines with their failed trade attempts to land Chris Paul, but their reported trade of Lamar Odom helps make up for it.

Instead of landing the young New Orleans point guard for a combination of Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom (among the other things that would happen in a three-team trade), the Lakers are able to shed salary immediately. They are taking on the draft pick in a deal with the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

The Lakers send away one of their three attractive trade chips to a conference rival, but the move allows them more flexibility in their quest to acquire younger players.

The move also coincides with the Lakers pulling out of the CP3 sweepstakes. That means they'll refocus their efforts on landing Orlando big man Dwight Howard.

Dallas, who had cap space available because of their recent trade with the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards, adds a supremely talented veteran who can help them to a potential repeat NBA title run immediately. The move doesn't impact owner Mark Cuban's long-term plans for the Mavericks since Odom can be bought out after the season.

The Mavericks' loss of Chandler will not go unnoticed, but landing a veteran like Odom on the heels of that deal is a great follow-up move.

In this lockout-shortened season, both teams can move forward now in attempts at an NBA championship.

The Lakers will try to jump back into the lead of the Dwight Howard race. The season begins in only two weeks. They'll battle with the New Jersey Nets for his services and it will be very interesting to see what LA puts together.

As for the Mavericks, they may have lost a key defensive component and big man from their title run, but they added a veteran utility man that can do anything asked of him.

Los Angeles helped make the Mavericks better immediately; Dallas helped the Lakers set things up for the future.

On this rare occasion of a common Lakers-Mavericks meeting, both teams walk away winners.