Knicks close to signing Lamar Odom

There are two days left in the regular season, and the New York Knicks are on the verge of signing forward Lamar Odom for the remainder of it. They are "progressing toward a deal" that would include an unguaranteed second year, according to ESPN's Marc Stein:

Structuring the deal this way, after a tumultuous 12 months for one of [Phil] Jackson's favorite players when they worked together with the Los Angeles Lakers, would give the Knicks two months before free agency begins July 1 to get the 34-year-old into their program and start working with him.

The Knicks, sources say, would want to use the extra time to see if they can get Odom to the point, physically and mentally, where the talented but enigmatic lefty is worthy of a roster spot next season.

If Odom signs immediately, he is not expected to play against either the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday or the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. Odom last played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2012-2013, and there were rumors in November and December that he might end up back there. He ended up going to Spain, but lasted only two games because of a back injury.

Odom previously had success with Knicks president Phil Jackson as a member of the Lakers. New York's interest in this kind of deal with Odom was reported late last week, and Jackson and Odom met during the Knicks' game against the Nets on April 2, according to the New York Post.