If Lamar Odom doesn't sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, coach Doc Rivers has a fallback: ex-Celtic Chris Wilcox.
Although Odom remains the top candidate for the Clippers' open roster spot, Wilcox is being eyed as the team's next target if a deal with Odom cannot be reached, ESPN reports.
"Sources close to the situation say that Wilcox, who Clippers coach Doc Rivers knows well after their time together in Boston, is in L.A.'s thoughts as a fallback option should it ultimately decide to pass on bringing back Odom," ESPN's Marc Stein wrote on Friday.
Wilcox, 31, played in Boston under Rivers from 2011 to 2013. The 6-foot-10 veteran would add depth to the Clippers' frontcourt; he has a career average of 8.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. In addition to two seasons under Rivers, Wilcox is also familiar with the Clippers organization, which drafted him as the No. 8 pick in the 2002 NBA draft.
As Stein reported, Odom is still the Clippers' preferred signing. Odom met with Rivers for two hours last week at the team's practice facility. Rivers characterized the meeting as "a good conversation" and deny his interest in the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
"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.
All indications are a deal between Odom and the Clippers will be reached. TMZ reported that "serious negotiations" are underway between the two sides, and ESPN reported a source as saying a deal is "imminent."
Odom has been fodder for tabloids over the summer with accusations of drug-use and marital infidelity, but all recent accounts suggest the 33-year-old is getting his life back in order and is on track to make a return to the NBA.
It's uncertain if the Clippers' interest in Odom will be affected by a video that surfaced on Friday of Odom rapping while seemingly intoxicated.
