UPDATE: Serena Winters of Lakers Nation has spoken to a team source, who says these reports are, in fact, false.
Per team source, the reports that Kupchak had talks w/ Lamar Odom's agent & offered LO a roster spot should he go to rehab are FALSE.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) August 29, 2013
Lakers organization is very fond of Lamar and is genuinely concerned for his well-being.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) August 29, 2013
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Apr 30, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers power forward Lamar Odom (7) and Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Tony Allen (9) battle for the ball in the first half of game five of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Over the past week or so, there have been all kinds of rumors about Lamar Odom. First, he was addicted to hardcore drugs, then he was missing, and then the Lakers had lost interest in him. Now, it seems the first two rumors were true, but the third may not be. According to Radaronline.com, the Lakers will give Odom a roster spot if he goes to rehab.
"“Mitch Kupchak, the general manager of the Lakers, offered the sensational lifeline to 33-year-old Odom’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, “because the organization and the Buss family are extremely concerned about him,” according to a source with knowledge of the situation, who spoke exclusively to RadarOnline.com.“Lamar needs to go to rehab and he’s been told by the team that if he goes and completes treatment, there’ll be a spot for him.”"
This could be a win-win situation for both sides. Odom will be getting the help he desperately needs, and the Lakers, given Odom gets back on track, could be picking up a solid bench player.