I think this could go on for a while, Mitch realizes we don't have to beat our 8 million offer because there is probably nothing out there.
If that is the case, I don't want him on the team. He'll be terrible for morale and if he is holding out for more money and doesn't get it, I don't exactly see him being the ideal teammate. He's already got a ring. He won't be a starter. What are the incentives for him to take a major paycut and still stay on the bench?
I thought maybe he matured a bit during our playoff run? Do we try a sign and trade then? I just want to get some kind of depth for him at least.
Mamba...youre overreacting and u know it....Lamar proved hes the ultimate team guy this year. Besides for one snide remark in preseason he was a total professional. He never complained, when Bynum was hurt he dominated, when Bynum came back he was fine going back to the bench, he didnt bitch about being pulled in and out of the starting lineup at the beginning of the playoffs. We NEED Odom back
So where's he gonna go? We're offering him a little north of the 8 million, he's gonna go elsewhere, to a non-contending team, to sign for the MLE?
The most any other team is offering is MLE money, which is around 5 to 6 million dollars. We’ve already offered him a deal “a little north of 8 million.” What more does he want? You can’t just keep adding on money. We’re already paying him more than 2 million dollars that he’d get on the market. You can’t keep pushing it. At some point, there has to be a limit. If Lamar and his agent does not want to negotiate, then he can go elsewhere, like Trevor. You can’t play the numbers game and say 2 million. Luke Walton is overpayed at 5 million a year, yet I’m sure not many people would be complaining, if his contract was 2 million less, at 3 million a year. There has to be a cutoff. Part of free agency is negotiation. We’re already paying Lamar more than his market value, if he refuses to accept that, then it’s time to look elsewhere.
I heard he just canceled his appearance on the Lakers DVD viewing party on Lakers Live (or something like that). I guess he doesn't want to deal with the questions.
What is your limit Lost, like 8.5 million for 4 years? I think we might actually match whatever offer he gets even if it is 9-10 mil, we're just waiting around putting some pressure on Odom. I'm certain Mitch knows how to do that more effectively than Trev's agent. This jab at the negotiations was more subtle.
He wanted a ring, last year. He already got his ring. You really think he'll sit on the bench again for less money than he did last year? I don't trust him enough to accept that he'll just sit there and be an obedient, quiet player again. And now with all this coming out, his agent saying he is looking for a sign and trade, Mitch not so positive he can sign him, and now Lamar supposedly canceling his DVD release appearance, I just think it'd be much easier to try and find a sign and trade. If we can get back a good role player to come off the bench at one of the big man positions, he is expendable. That is my opinion, though. I don't think I'm overreacting. I think he is replaceable if we can find a sign and trade. The only way Lamar can get the $10 million he wants is if OKC or Memphis buckle and cave into his demands. Portland only has $7.7 million, don't they? We're offering just north of $8 mill. I never once said that he wasn't an amazing team player last year, I just don't think he can duplicate that. He's already got that ring he wanted.
And like I've said, I think he'll be back. Right now, there is no market for him. It is a waiting game. Eventually, Odom will have to buckle if he wants to play next year.
4 years 32 million sounds good enough for me. He makes 8 million a year, and has a long, stable contract. I don't know what the parameters are with the limit. It is not my call. But bottom line, he has received zero interest anywhere else. The latest report says that we have offered him a contract a little north of 8 million. What more does he want? I do want LO to come back, but I also understand that there must be cutoff at some point. You can't keep raising the price. At this point, we're essentially bidding against ourselves because if we release him to the open market, he'd probably get 5-6 million max. Jerry and Mitch probably have a cutoff at some point, and I back them 100%. It's unreasonable and irresponsible to keep pushing and pushing, especially when there are no other suitors in place.
Odom did go to the screening actually. He mentioned contract talks a bit. http://twitter.com/ramonashelburne
