F Lamar Odom, a 12-year NBA veteran and winner of the 2010-11 NBA Sixth Man Award is currently a contender for the 2011-12 Thirteenth Man Award, with Monday morning’s announcement the Dallas Mavericks and Odom have mutually decided he’s surplus to requirements. Writes the Dallas Morning News’ Eddie Sefko, “The departure signifies that the team finally gave up all hope of Odom salvaging a season in which he has displayed poor play virtually throughout and his effort and commitment to the team has been called into question.” Sefko diplomatically left out the part about Odom becoming a national laughing stock.
Odom will be paid for the remainder of the season. The Mavericks plan to list him on the inactive list for the final nine games and the playoffs. If he were to be released, Odom could sign with another team, but would not be eligible for the playoffs.
Odom’s position on the team became more tenuous in the last couple weeks. He was a healthy scratch from one game and his playing time had diminished to the point that he played just four uninspired minutes in Saturday’s loss at Memphis and just 11 minutes the night before against Portland.
After the game in Memphis, the Mavericks were in no mood to talk about Odom, who just threw up his hands when asked for his thoughts of the situation.
When asked about Odom, Dirk Nowitzki said only that: “I’m done talking about that.”