Clippers hope to land Lamar Odom, according to report

The Clippers have been in interested in signing Lamar Odom for the past month, and coach Doc Rivers told Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com that he is “hoping things work out” between Odom and the team:

“I’m hoping if things work out, yeah. But I just don’t know. I know there’s other teams involved, I think. I honestly haven’t focused on it a lot. But he’s somebody that I’ve always liked, and I like him more now after hearing from Phil Jackson to Vinny to all the players the type of guy he is in the locker room. When I hear that stuff, without saying exactly what I heard, you want him in your locker room.”

Odom visited Clippers facilities in mid-November for a workout and, at the time, Rivers was impressed with the 34-year-old’s conditioning.

According to Howard-Cooper, the Clippers are looking to fill their empty roster spot either through free agency or through waivers “while not seeing any trade opportunities at the moment.” He writes that Los Angeles isn’t in any rush with Odom because they can afford to wait until later in the season to make a move.

Odom, who was drafted by the Clippers in 1999, struggled in his last two seasons in the NBA with the Mavericks and Clippers, and was the subject of off the court issues this summer.

He holds career averages of 13 points and eight rebounds on 46 percent shooting from the floor. He also has range extended to the three point line and is a solid free throw shooter.

The Clippers have relied mostly on reserve big men, Ryan Hollins and Byron Mullens, this season and Odom would figure to be an instant upgrade off the bench.

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