Lamar Odom Leaves Dallas Mavericks, Still Owed $8.2 Million
Lamar Odom has officially left the Dallas Mavericks after posting disappointing stats since joining in December, and he will now be placed on the team's inactive list for the remainder of the season.
"The Mavericks and I have mutually agreed that it's in the best interest of both parties for me to step away from the team," Odom said in a statement to ESPN.com. "I'm sorry that things didn't work out better for both of us, but I wish the Mavs' organization, my teammates and Dallas fans nothing but continued success in the defense of their championship."
Placing Odom on the team's inactive list as opposed to simply releasing him enables the possibility for the Mavericks to trade him after the season, though any team that picks him up must accept responsibility for the full $8.2 million that he is scheduled to earn in 2012 to 2013.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Odom, who was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 11, has struggled to adapt to his new team, which critics have attributed to his reluctance to leave the Lakers, whom he had played for since 2004.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle and Odom's teammate Dirk Nowitzki recently fueled speculation that there was tension amongst the team after Dallas' recent 94-89 defeat to the Grizzlies.
"No Lamar questions tonight," Carlisle bluntly told reporters.
"I'm done talking about that," Mavericks' star forward Nowitzki told reporters before ending an interview.
Odom, who has played 50 games during this season, has averaged just 6.6 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game, which is a far cry from his better days with the Lakers, where he averaged 16.5 points, 13.4 rebounds (4.9 offensive and 9.5 defensive) during one season.
Fans of the 32-year-old "Khloe and Lamar" star immediately took to Twitter to weigh in on his departure.
"Oh and look at what just happened to Lamar Odom and the Mavs. That did look like a time bomb ticking," Mav Gonzales tweeted.
"Lamar Odom might be the biggest joke in the NBA, from 6th man of the year to essentially being cut by the Mavs #DramaQueen #NoRespect," Trent Bennett tweeted.
"Good riddance to Lamar Odom! He should have to pay back his check for not really playing this year! #odomsucks," Jason Knight tweeted.
