LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom has reached a verbal agreement on a multi-year deal to stay with the NBA champions, the player’s agent said on Thursday.
Lakers spokesman John Black confirmed the agreement on the team’s official website (www.nba.com/lakers), adding that a contract was likely to be signed “in the next few days”.
The retention of the Odom will bolster a powerful Lakers starting line-up comprising NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant, Spanish forward Pau Gasol and veteran guard Derek Fisher, plus forward Ron Artest who joined the franchise earlier this month.
Odom, 29, was a significant factor in helping the Lakers clinch the 2008-09 title, averaging more than 12 points and nine rebounds in the postseason.
The six-foot-ten, 230-pound forward started 32 regular season games for the Lakers when center Andrew Bynum was sidelined with injury before fully embracing his bench role in the playoffs.
Odom, who joined Los Angeles in July 2004 from the Miami Heat in a multiple trade for Shaquille O’Neal, has long been admired for his commitment to the team.
Although Odom had repeatedly said he wanted to stay on with the Lakers after the franchise clinched a 15th NBA Championship, an initial contract offer was withdrawn by the team when he was slow to respond.
He was then linked with a return to Miami, where Dwyane Wade had been lobbying on his behalf, before an agreement was finally struck with the Lakers on Thursday.
Speaking before Game One of the NBA finals last month, Odom summed up what he brought to the team.
“A little bit of everything,” he said. “I just go out and play.”
