I know, technically, this isn’t an NBA Draft trade, but technically, it is a “draft day” trade. So we’ll go ahead and file it here.
The Mavericks could find themselves in all-out rebuild mode, and earlier, we saw them turn UNC’s Tyler Zeller into three prospects. Now, they’re on the verge of dumping Lamar Odom.
After lasting only about four months in Dallas, the Mavericks are working hard to find a deal for him. As of late Thursday night, there were conflicting stories as to whether or not Odom would be sent back to Los Angeles. But instead of potentially rejoining the likes of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, this time, Odom is rumored to be taking his talents to La-La Land to go play with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
If the deal happens, things will come full-circle for Odom, who began his career with the Clippers when they selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.
Thus far, the Mavericks have been unequivocal in their demand that an Odom deal not result in them taking back any additional salary and it seems that this has been the cause of the holdup.
The principles in this proposed deal are Odom, Mo Williams, and the Utah Jazz. The Jazz have a trade exception which they would use to absorb Mo William’s $8.5 million salary for the 2012-2013 season, but things get complicated because Mo Williams has until Saturday to decide whether or not he wants to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free-agent.
With Chris Paul, Eric Bledsoe, Nick Young, and Mo Williams, the Clippers backcourt situation is fairly crowded. That the club would like to re-sign Chauncey Billups would only make the situation worse for Williams.
In effect, Williams can blow this trade up by opting out of his deal. That would be a curious decision, though, considering Williams stands to make $8.5 million next season and probably couldn’t fetch more on the open market. However, if he’s really against the idea of potentially playing backup to Devin Harris in Salt Lake City, he may do so.
All indications are that Odom would be happy to return to Los Angeles and the Mavericks—apparently—will only be too happy to get rid of him. Their only motivation to do this deal seems to be to get out from under the Odom’s $8.2 million, partially guaranteed salary for next season.
For the Clippers, Odom would provide them with a capable sixth man and versatile frontcourt player to spell either Blake Griffin or DeAndre Jordan. His arrival could mean the end of Kenyon Martin’s tenure in Los Angeles, but time will tell.
A resolution is expected on Friday.
Moke Hamilton is a Senior NBA Columnist for SheridanHoops. Follow him on Twitter.