Lakers Free Agency: Lamar Odom Favoring the Heat

First the Los Angeles Lakers lost Trevor Ariza to free agency as he decided to sign with the Houston Rockets, but the Lakers made a great move in snatching Ron Artest away from the Rockets even though some fans seem to have preferred to have Ariza back instead.

Personally, I like Ariza, but Artest brings a much needed toughness to the Lakers which has eluded the Lakers since the Shaq/Kobe dynasty was broken up. So in the end the Lakers have improved despite losing their best young defender by adding a proven veteran who thrives on both sides of the floor.

When the offseason began both Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant said that resigning Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza was very important and the number priority for the Lakers along with keeping point guard Shannon Brown. Well, the Lakers were able to keep Brown, lost Ariza and now look to be on the verge of losing Lamar Odom as well.

When contract talks began with Lamar Odom and the Los Angeles Lakers things seemed promising, but Odom was asking for about $10 million a year. Odom played great last season, if the Lakers didn't have Odom on the roster they most likely wouldn't have even gotten to the NBA Finals, but despite Odom's impressive play he has been a underachiever the majority of his career in LA.

That being said the Lakers never seem to know what Odom they are getting with every passing game and that makes people like Lakers owner Jerry Buss hold back from paying the big money for a long period of time. Honestly, I can't blame him. I love Odom and I hope they can come to an agreement, but Odom can be extremely inconsistent at times.

The story now is that Odom is getting an offer less than what Buss originally offered the forward and because of that Odom is leaning more towards signing with his former team the Miami Heat.

Reportedly, Dwyane Wade is taking this matter into his own hands by flying out to Los Angeles to bring him back to Miami. Pat Riley is also supposed to be in Los Angeles at the same time, but it is uncertain that Odom is the reason he is there.

So the way things are looking right now I get the feeling we have seen the last of Odom in a Lakers uniform unless either Kobe Bryant takes matters into his own hands as well and talks Odom into winning some championships or Jerry Buss gets the stick out of his ass and pays Odom what he wants.

Lamar Odom heading back to Miami is by no means set in stone, but unless the Lakers step it up I don't see Odom ending up anywhere other than Miami playing alongside Dwyane Wade.