Team president Phil Jackson looking for reunion with former Lakers star.
The New York Knicks are reportedly considering the possibility of signing veteran free agent Lamar Odom before the regular season ends this year.
According to ESPN sources, new team president Phil Jackson has been looking into the possibility of signing the 34-year-old ever since his stint in Spain ended and is now weighing up whether or not to add the Queens native to the roster.
One of the possibilities for the Knicks is that they sign Odom before the regular season finale on Wednesday night, with a contract including a team option for next season.
That in turn would allow the Knicks to work with Odom throughout the off-season to get him back to an NBA level of performance before deciding whether or not he’s ready to play, both physically and mentally given his previous problems, for the 2014-15 season.
It had been reported that the pair met during the Knicks-Nets game last week, but while initial suggestions were that it was a personal catch-up, Jackson has hinted at the idea of bringing him back into the NBA fold provided he can prove that he still belongs there.
Odom has been in New York since a back injury cut short his stay with Laboral Kutxa Baskonia in Spain after just two games, and although the Knicks could sign him before Wednesday in order to ensure he is available for the playoffs, their post-season hopes look bleak with three games to go and so it is a signing with a view to next season.
The NBA veteran played for Jackson for five seasons in Los Angeles and was part of two championship winning teams. However, a series of off-the-court incidents have seen him suffer in recent times, and it remains to be seen whether or not he is ready for a return to the league.
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