Former Sixth Man of the Year Lamar Odom was saddened when the Los Angeles Lakers traded him in 2011.
The Los Angeles Lakers have always been known for the smorgasbord of superstars they have had over the years. However, few players in the team’s rich history have been more beloved than Lamar Odom.
Odom’s first year in LA was 2004-2005. He was part of the blockbuster package that ultimately sent Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat.
Odom’s time in a Lakers’ uniform were easily the best years he enjoyed while in the NBA. No. 7 helped the team win back-to-back world championships in 2009 and 2010.
Granted L.O. played a huge role in those title runs, things slowly went downhill not too long thereafter. It is incredibly sad to think about, but it cannot be refuted.
Following a disappointing second-round playoff exit in 2011 at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers were poised to get back on track that autumn.
Part of getting back into the swings of things seemed to mean a lot of things to the Lakers during the 2011-2012 campaign. It definitely included taking drastic measures.
As Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Times reminded readers, the Lakers were ready to give up Odom and Pau Gasol in exchange for Chris Paul in the later months of 2011.
Of course, that transaction never occurred provided it was vetoed by the league at the time. However, another trade did happen in the aftermath of that blockbuster deal not panning out.
That next trade involved Lamar, who was sent away by LA on December 11, 2011. Interestingly enough, the purple and gold swapped him to the team that beat them in the playoffs the prior season.
Suffice to say, the LA-Dallas trade changed the trajectory of Lamar’s NBA career. Moving to a new city is never an easy thing initially.
Nevertheless, this particular trade was different from most. Odom led a much different life once he left the bright lights of LA.
That is really what made the trade in 2011 so bad. As Robby Kalland of Uproxx Sports articulated, the sports side of transactions tends to be the only area that is given any attention. He points out that many people talk about such things in terms like: “yes it’s unfortunate for players to have to move, but that’s part of the job.”
Albeit that phraseology cannot be completely discounted, it does not acknowledge the more emotional side of things.
Odom recently took the time to reflect on the Dallas trade, and, via Markazi, he admitted it was not fun to experience. Per the same LA Times article:
"“That hurt,” Odom says. “I love that team. I love the people who own that team. That trade hurt me. I was never the same after that. I think back to where I was at in my life. My cousin had just been killed and the team knew about that and where I was at after the loss of my son.“I’m not going to say that should have protected me but I was coming off a Sixth Man of the Year winning season. I couldn’t believe they would just trade me like that. It hurt.”"
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To be honest, it is hard to blame Odom for feeling “hurt” as he worded it. Certainly, as one can plainly see, the 6-foot-10 figure was enduring a lot of trauma as of then.
Thus, the sheer timing of the move was not the greatest for him. Playing basketball in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey was his sanctuary. It gave him temporary peace from all the struggles he was facing behind the scenes.
Via Kalland, everything after LA led to a scary, scary life. L.O. turned to drugs during his longtime battle with depression, which nearly led to his fatality. It is astonishing he is still here on earth.
Likewise, the former NBA player is more than aware of this. He told Markazi the following when he was asked about his medical history.
"“My doctors say I’m a walking miracle; they’re amazed that I’m here,” Odom says. “I always knew I had a strong will. I think my will is even stronger than I believed it was. It’s a testament that God is good. When I woke up and I couldn’t talk or walk I never thought I would be here. I never thought I would play basketball again or talk to you. Just to be here is a win for me.”"
On a similar note, everyone is glad he is here as well. There is no way to emphasize that strongly enough.
He may not possess the skills he once did. Despite that truth, knowing he is evidently going to be involved in this summer’s BIG 3 competition is a treat.
Certainly, the odds of Lamar Odom playing in the NBA again may not be sky high. However, it will just be nice to see him playing the game he loves in a different capacity.