Guest Bleacher Report contributor and Orange County Register columnist Kevin Ding tweeted that Odom may be "coming around" to the idea of rejoining the Los Angeles Lakers:
As the tweet indicates, the Lakers aren't sold on Odom. Who could blame them? The 33-year-old, 14-year-veteran had some great years with the Lakers as part of the team's championship runs in 2009 and 2010, but that ship has sailed.
There's a lot of physical and emotional wear on Odom's tires.
He has seemingly turned his intensity level on and off over the past two seasons. At his age, that is a dangerous tendency. Older players who have already made their mark in the NBA may have a difficult time flipping the intensity switch back on.
It doesn't appear he has ever recovered emotionally from being traded from the Lakers to the Mavericks in 2011.
With his recent issues off the court, the chances that he'd be all in seem more unlikely.
Odom may not be able to raise his level the way the Lakers may need him to. That would be unfortunate for L.A., because despite what many critics think, it has a chance to be a playoff team in 2013-14.
The roster spot the Lakers could potentially offer to Odom could wind up being an important role. The team can't afford to carry a player who doesn't offer it a realistic benefit.
Even before the Lakers presumably sign two more players to partially guaranteed contracts, the team figures to be deeper than last year's squad. Losing Dwight Howard may hurt the Lakers in the long run once Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol have moved on, but next year the chemistry should be better.
Last year's team seemed tight, disjointed and distracted all season.
