Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has finally had enough of Lamar Odom’s subpar play and lackadaisical attitude. The team announced Monday that it essentially severed ties with Odom by placing him on the inactive roster for the remainder of the season.
Odom, who the Mavs acquired via trade from the Los Angeles Lakers, averaged only 6.6 points and 4.2 rebounds this season for the defending NBA champions. Last year, he posted numbers of 14.4 and 8.6 for the Lakers on his way to being voted Sixth Man of the Year. But after being offered to the Hornets in a failed trade attempt, Odom became disgruntled and asked for a trade.
While the initial acquisition was lauded, questions regarding Odom’s effort and dedication quickly arose in Dallas. The move has proven to be another misstep by Cuban, who foolishly allowed Tyson Chandler to sign with the New York Knicks in the name of saving cap space to make a run at Deron Williams and/or Dwight Howard after the 2011-12 season.
With Chandler providing an athletic defensive presence in the middle, the Mavs shocked the Miami Heat to win its first NBA title. Without Chandler, the team finds itself fighting for a playoff spot with a mediocre 31-26 record, accentuated by Odom’s mediocre play.
Only time will tell if Cuban’s gamble pays off in the long run, but with Howard locked up in Orlando for another season, the Mavericks must convince Williams to bolt New Jersey after the season. For Khloe’s husband, by being listed as “inactive” instead of being released, he’s unable to sign with another team. The Mavs continue to hold in rights in hopes of unloading his contract on another team to prevent eating the cap space. After his putrid play, that seems unlikely. I suppose he’ll have more time for his reality TV show.
