Lamar Odom and the Los Angeles Clippers are close to completing a deal. Odom's contract reportedly has one special stipulation: random drug tests.
ESPN reported Odom met on Friday with Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who described his meeting with the free agent as a "good conversation." When Odom was asked by TMZ on Sunday if a deal had been finalized, Odom answered: "Not yet."
On Monday, Radar Online reported a source as saying the deal is imminent - provided Odom can pass random drugs tests given by the team, in addition to the league-mandated drug tests.
"(Odom is) very close to signing a one year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. He has been working out, and getting ready to re-join his team," a source told Radar. "Lamar agreed to undergo random drug testing administered by the team, and if he returns one dirty test, he will be suspended from the team immediately."
Odom, who spent the summer on the cover of tabloids for his alleged crack-cocaine use, has been training for at least one month to get back into basketball shape. He appears to be serious about getting his life back together and returning to the NBA.
"Lamar has indicated he may travel with a sober companion in the beginning weeks," the source said.
Another Radar source added: "Lamar's entire life is basketball and he has been lost without it, and this is one of the reasons why (his) drug addiction spiraled out of control."
Odom, the 2011 Sixth Man of the year, struggled the past two seasons while playing with the Mavericks and Clippers. Despite Odom's off-the-court troubles, Rivers admitted he's wanted for a while to have the 34-year-old on his roster.
"I've always had interest in him. I've always liked him. The teams he's played on and the coaches who have coached him have always liked him," Rivers said, via ESPN.
