Could Lamar Odom (left) and Phil Jackson once again be on the same team?
Wondering how Phil Jackson would put his stamp on the New York Knicks? Looks like you may get your first answer.
The new team president of the Knicks is close a deal with free agent Lamar Odom, who won a pair of championships with Jackson with the Lakers, ESPN reported Tuesday, citing "sources briefed on the situation."
According to the report, the two sides are close to a deal which would have Odom on the roster before the regular season ends Wednesday. Such a move would put Odom on the roster immediately and give the Knicks control over Odom for a second, unguaranteed year next season, the report said.
The timing, according to the report, is to allow the Knicks more than two months before the free agency period begins to see if they can get the 34-year-old who has yet to play a game this season physically and mentally in shape to play next season.
The report said Odom is not expected to play in the Knicks' season finale in Toronto on Wednesday.
The 14-year veteran has not played at all last season after spending last season on the Clippers. In recent years, he has made far more headlines off the court than on it, most notable his marriage to and reality TV show with Khloe Kardashian (who has filed for divorce), as well as legal troubles that include a no-contest plea to a charge of DUI and a lawsuit filed by a member of the paparazzi, who claims Odom attacked him on video.
The Knicks have very little cap flexibility and Jackson admitted upon his taking the job that he would have to be creative with changes to the roster until the team gets under the cap in 2015.
Odom has career averages of 13.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
