Lamar Odom shows up at Clippers’ practice; both sides show interest
Free-agent forward Lamar Odom was at the Clippers’ practice facility on Friday afternoon, said NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
No deal was imminent between Odom and the Clippers, the executives said, but there is interest on both sides if Odom has gotten his personal life in order. Odom didn’t work out for the team, the executives said.
Odom talked with Clippers Coach Doc Rivers and some of his former teammates after the team’s practice, the executives said.
One executive said Odom “looked pretty good†and that he is “not heavy weight-wise†and is “talking like he really wants to play again.â€
Odom has told friends that wants to play for a team that can make a deep run in the playoffs and has a chance to win an NBA championship, according to the executives.
Odom, 34, has been working out, doing some boxing to get into shape and some cardiovascular exercises, the executives said. If Odom can continue to improve his conditioning and his basketball skill set, the executives said the 6-10 forward could be ready to play basketball “in a few weeks.â€
The 6-foot-10 Odom averaged a career-low 4.0 points last season in 82 games with the Clippers, but he did average 5.9 rebounds.
The Clippers have a 14-man roster, leaving them open to sign another player before reaching the maximum of 15.
Odom had a tough summer in which he stayed in the tabloids. There were allegations of drug use and he was arrested in August on a DUI charge.
If Odom does return, the NBA will look into his problems before signing off on a deal, the executives said.
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