Comments on: Watching Odom

By: 1331

1331 — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:43:33 +0000

about odom’s new contract, i would say it’s still possible to pay him around 10mil next year…

i would expect kobe to opt out of his current contract and resign for less (just like tim duncan did a few years back)…

although i can only see this happening if we win this year championship…(to show kobe that we’re gonna win again the next year if we keep the same team)

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:52:24 +0000

It’s hard to predict the economic situation at the end of the year, but the Rashard Lewis example is apt. There’s always going to be a big free agent every year that gets a ridiculous contract because they’ve been grossly overestimated. Posey was the prime example of this during the off-season, and part of that was the championship glitter that he had, which is another factor that contributes to these hyped-up contracts.

Now, this certainly could not be the case for Odom, but we should take it into consideration. I agree with not trading him and seeing what he’ll do at the end of the season (stays for less, sign-and-trade, or simply walks), but he’s not the holy grail. It’s why for all the noise Cleveland is making about team chemistry and not trading Wally, the reality is that Wally can land a Carter, Jamison, Redd, or another big-name player that would catapult Cleveland to the next level. The situation is slightly different for us, as Odom is better than Wally, but we should keep an open mind as to what we can get for him (Wallace + Felton, Prince, or similar) that can prove equally valuable.

By: Joel

Joel — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:38:28 +0000

I completely agree. For all the reasons you listed, I don’t see Odom being offered a whole lot more than the MLE by another team. Something like $8M a year or thereabouts would be my guess.

By: Joel R

Joel R — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:26:14 +0000

Zephid (#96) – I won’t make any prediction as to what kind of contract offers Lamar will or won’t be offered this off-season, but the examples you listed don’t take into account the changing financial landscape of the NBA. In my option, the players you listed earned (or, if you prefer, “earned”) those gaudy salaries by either putting up inflated numbers or were overvalued for their perceived potential … LO is not going to have the stats on his side because of his role for us this season, and at 29 is probably past the point where he’s still considered to have much untapped upside. More importantly, the bad economy means fewer owners than ever will be willing to pay the luxury tax (at least for non-superstar acquisitions). Most of all, teams that DO have the salary cap space are all hoarding it for 2010.

By: Craig W.

Craig W. — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:23:11 +0000

exhelodrvr,
Odom is currently making about $11M. The $14M is because of an up front payment that had to be averaged over the life of the contract for salary cap purposes. $10M wouldn’t be much of a cut. Many of us are talking about $7-9M and that may be out of Lamar’s expectations.

Incidentally, for all you who want to trade LO because we will lose him for nothing in the summer. That is exactly why we will probably keep him. Bringing back ANY salary that extends longer than this year would make it harder to sign Ariza or Farmar for next year. That is one of the main issues – besides team chemistry – why many of us think Lamar is not going to be traded this year, p-e-r-i-o-d.

By: bruinsfan

bruinsfan — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:14:47 +0000

It seems to me that while Odom does many things very well, he is not excellent in any one way. This is a unique scenario, because for any given skill he may not be the best on the team, and thus does not get noticed.

By: Zephid

Zephid — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:57:23 +0000

Anybody who thinks Odom will not be signed for a max contract of 16 mil is kidding themselves:

1.) Rashard Lewis got some 120 million dollars to be the third wheel on a playoff team.
2.) Wally Sczerbiak makes 13 million dollars this year.
3.) Zach Randolph makes 14 million dollars this year.
4.) Marko Jaric makes 7 mil a year to rot for the next 3 years.

Some team will pay Odom a max contract; it’s all a matter of whether he takes it or not. The Lakers cannot resign Odom for his current salary; the new contract for Bynum and pending extension to Ariza prevent that (they will not be willing to pay that much more tax). Odom makes 11.4 mil this year, he will have to give up 16 mil per year to sign a 8-9 mil per year contract to stay with the Lakers (if not lower). Not to belittle anyone’s math skills, but that’s at least 7 million dollars he’s leaving on the table PER YEAR. Memphis, New Jersey, and Minnesota are three teams with a buttload of cap space next year who all could use a big (especially one of Odom’s caliber).

Otherwise, I would love to keep Odom. I think he fits our system perfectly, is the best complement to Gasol and Bynum we could ever have, and has the skillset that makes him a natural in the triangle. The best action the front office can take, IMO, is to let this season play itself out, then either let Odom go or do a sign-and-trade. But, I believe it is inevitable that Odom will not return after this year.

By: Joel

Joel — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:54:41 +0000

Are we really using the Finals as a referendum on Odom’s performance in the playoffs? Remind me, who on the Lakers played well against Boston in June? If you’re going to base everything on that series, might as well blow the team up and create cap space for 2010.

To say Odom ‘never made an impact when needed’ is so unfair, and I am not an Odom fan. The Lakers played 3 50-win teams to get to the Finals, and Odom played his part in all of those series. Not to mention he generally stepped up his game against Phoenix the previous 2 years. I have seen Allstars completely disappear in the playoffs (Peja and Marion come to mind) and Odom doesn’t deserve that label in my opinion.

By: wondahbap

wondahbap — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:37:30 +0000

My problem with LO is his inability to use or develop his right hand.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:35:59 +0000

also, while we’re on the subject of odom

http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2008/12/26/odom-not-bothered-by-trade-rumors/