The Dallas Mavericks and Lamar Odom have officially decide to part ways with each other. After an emotional split from former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavericks acquired Odom in a trade before the season but it never felt like the right fit. Odom, who is the reigning sixth-man of the year, never seemed to find his place in a Mavericks uniform and it comes as no surprise that he and the Mavericks have decided to split up.
“The Mavericks and I have mutually agreed that it’s in the best interest of both parties for me to step away from the team,” Odom said in a statement to ESPN.com. “I’m sorry that things didn’t work out better for both of us, but I wish the Mavs’ organization, my teammates and Dallas fans nothing but continued success in the defense of their championship.”
The Mavericks are not releasing Odom, rather just listing him as ‘inactive’ for the remainder of the season. This means they would still be able to trade him after the season ends. If Odom is on a teams roster as of June 29, he must be bought out for $2.4 million or they will have to pay him his full salary of $8.2 million that he is set to earn for the 2012-13 season. The Mavericks could still waive Odom, but it is highly unlikely because even if another team claims him, he will be ineligible for the postseason due to the fact that he was not waived before the March 23rd deadline.
It would be no surprise if Odom says he wants to return the L.A. after the season is complete, but we will not find out for a while. It is more clear than ever now that Odom left his heart (and perhaps his game) in Los Angeles.
via ESPN
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