Lamar Odom Hopes To Finish Career With Lakers

HONOLULU, Oct. 4 (AP) -- Lamar Odom did his best to ignore the offseason trade talk.
There was no way, because it never went away.

The versatile 6-foot-10 forward, who has shown an ability to play everywhere on the court during a productive eight-year NBA career, professes to be a glass half-full person.
But, he acknowledged Thursday, the rumors did hurt.

"It bothers you a little bit, especially when you thought you'd proven yourself to be worthy of being here,'' said Odom, about to begin his fourth season with the Los Angeles Lakers - assuming he's not moved before the end of the month.

"Of course it bothers you, especially when you're in a place where you want to be,'' he said. "But this is a business. If you worked for a law firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, and you loved St. Louis, and somebody said the firm was moving to Austin, Texas, you wouldn't want to go.''

Odom, who turns 28 next month, was reportedly part of a package offered to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Garnett, and was also mentioned in connection with a potential deal involving Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal.

Nothing happened.

"(Trade talk) happens because I can play,'' Odom said. "Sometimes, you take it as a compliment, but this is where I want to play basketball for the rest of my career. This is where I want to win championships. Hopefully, I can go out there and play at a high level and it will happen.

"Hopefully this is the last stop for Mr. Odom.''

Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who called for an upgraded roster during the offseason, expressed the opinion that trade rumors are part of the game.

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source : NBA.com