Lakers Rumors: Lamar Odom to be signed to retire with franchise

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers receives the Kia Six Man of the Year Award from Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak before Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs against the New Orleans Hornets on April 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers receives the Kia Six Man of the Year Award from Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak before Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs against the New Orleans Hornets on April 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: There are reported plans being put into place for Lamar Odom to sign with the Lakers in training camp to retire with the team.

Plenty of recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors have pertained to the future of the franchise. LeBron James‘ future is one that many fans will pay attention to. However, there is another signing that the Lakers are working on that many fans will be happy to hear.

Recently, Lamar Odom caught up with Shams Charania of The Vertical. There were plenty of things discussed, as Odom opened up and shared a lot from his life. The biggest takeaway from the piece was that Odom said the trade away from the Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks, following his Sixth Man of the Year award winning season, basically ruined his career.

Odom said the trade to the Mavericks essentially ended his career and purpose. Odom’s off court struggles have been well documented, as he has battled with drugs. In 2015 he almost lost his life because of an overdose in a Las Vegas brothel.

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Odom is doing better now, which is great to hear. Seeing someone who has battled as much adversity as Odom has gotten back on track is great to hear. As he has begun to feel better, we have seen Odom more.

When Kobe Bryant played his last game at Staples Center in 2016, Odom was in attendance. Odom was also in attendance at Ice Cube’s Big3 game on August 13th at the Staples Center. He was also at Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards and Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Sports Awards. Could we next see Odom back with the Lakers?

It would not be on the court but is being reported that there are plans on the table to bring Odom back. According to Charania, there are plans in place for Odom to sign a contract so that he can retire as a member of the Lakers. It is something that Odom says his family is looking forward to.

"“My family looks forward to me retiring as a Laker more than me,” Odom told The Vertical. “I’m not really emotional about being praised, about signing for a day. I’m shy at the end of the day. For my son, for my family, for my fans, they may enjoy that day. It’s for them.“I ain’t celebrating not playing no more. In life though, I’ve learned to live with regrets.”"

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Retiring with the Lakers would seem to be a fitting end to Odom’s career. He had the best seasons of his NBA career with the Lakers, so it would be a good ending for him. Odom was an integral part of two championship teams with the Lakers, so it would be right for him to sign with him and receive some recognition in training camp in a few weeks.