Kupchak: "I'm not as hopeful"
LAS VEGAS -- Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said tonight he was "not as hopeful" of re-signing unrestricted free agent Lamar Odom "as I was Friday." Asked why, Kupchak said, "It's just a feeling you get. You have conversations with the player's representative and, right now, I'm not sure we're on the same page."
Asked during halftime of the Lakers-Clippers summer league game, if he was the point of throwing up his hands in frustration, Kupchak said, "Perhaps."
Kupchak said he had no further plans to talk with Odom's agent, Jeff Schwartz.
"I understand it's a process. I am surprised it's taken us so long to get to this point."
It's believed the Lakers have offered Odom a deal of more than $8 million per season. It's also believed that there are no other teams currently courting Odom, who made $11.4 million last season in the final year of a six-season deal he signed with Miami.
Sign Odom already, in order to repeat we need him back, the bench is nothing without him. Oh and remember we have Bynum who is injury prone.
Looks like we may not get to keep Lamar, but at least we have that messageboard superstar Andrew Bynum. It will be interesting to see when the bum gets hurt this year now that he is on a big contract. Wish LA could trade him for a bag of chips to get rid of that toxic contract. To those who say he is better than Dwight Howard, pinch yourself and quit dreaming and being a disgusting homer. He isn't worth what LA is going to pay him and I will be proved right on this unfortunately.
I think because we have gasol bynums shine is taken away. Centers are very hard to come by, thus they are over paid. I think Bynum will show his worth this year.
the resign of lamar odom is essential for the future of LAL, there aren't other players as him, i hope that kupchack and bass have the fortune to resign odom, in other case will be problems ti repeat the last season
I could care less if Odom walks, worst case scenario your core is Bryant, Gasol, Artest. The Lakers have gone out of their way to structure around his unwillingness to be agressive (i.e., 2nd option, 3rd option, 4th option, 1st option on second team), and further he's a guy with top 10 skills but see's himself as some 3rd tier garbage man. He shines on occasion, but not enough to justify a 10+ million per year salary. He's not as productive or consistent as Atest so why should the Lakers pay more, a premium on his knowledge of the Triangle? Please, Phil still takes shot at his hoops IQ with respect to the Triangle and he's been in it for 4 years. Goodbye, Lamar.
Sad to say Odom is an asset which never blossomed. He will always be a "what could have been guy" with any team as he is not focused and certainly doesn't play with heart just like wasted talents such as Vince Carter and Chris Webber.
Lakers could even be greater than Bulls (Mike, Scottie and Rodman) with their current line-up (Kobe, Pau, Lamar) and throw in another "promising talent" Bynum with the rock-solid but aging Fisher. But with Lamar just being contented to do barreling offensive fouls instead of developing more moves and use his height, athleticism and a bit of smart outside shots.
He sure can do all those and can even be greater that Scottie but this will never happen......it's not on his plans to be that great anyways.
Come on Laker fans. Stop hating on Lamar just because he wants what he's worth. Odom isn't worth 10 million yet bynum is worth 12 million plus? Give him his due. Once he signs you will all be loving him again. Calm down.
Bynum is just lost out there. Odom is a key to the teams success. We need him!!! You guys aren't true Laker fans!!