The Los Angeles Clippers and free agent Lamar Odom are reportedly close to a deal. After meeting with Clippers coach Doc Rivers on Friday, Odom sounded optimistic about signing with the team when he spoke briefly on Sunday with TMZ.
ESPN reported last week that both the Clippers and Lakers were interested in signing Odom, provided he continued to get his life back in order. Odom appears to be doing just that, and TMZ says the 34-year-old has been training for the past month to make a return to the NBA.
The Clippers appear to believe Odom is on the right track, and on Friday Rivers had a "good conversation" with him on behalf of the organization. Rivers confirmed to ESPN the team is interested in Odom but declined to specify how far along the talks were.
"I've always had interest in him. I've always liked him," Rivers said, via ESPN. "The teams he's played on and the coaches who have coached him have always liked him, but honestly it really didn't go much further than that."
Rivers added: "(Odom) looked good ... like his weight was really down and he was in good shape, but that doesn't mean a lot."
A source close to the situation told ESPN's Marc Stein that no deal is imminent, but he'd "be surprised if it doesn't happen."
TMZ reported over the weekend that "serious negotiations are underway." Odom seemingly confirmed that negotiations, at least on some level, are taking place. When asked on Sunday whether a deal with the Clippers was official, Odom answered: "Not yet."
The Clippers and Lakers both had shown interest in Odom during the summer before his alleged drug use and marriage troubles became tabloid fodder. Odom won two NBA titles with the Lakers, as well as the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2011, before having two forgettable seasons with the Mavericks and Clippers.
The Clippers have an open spot on their roster if they choose to sign Odom.
