Phil Jackson could be on the verge of making his first roster move since taking over as president of the New York Knicks, and it involves a familiar face. According to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein, Lamar Odom is expected to sign with the Knicks this week.
By signing Odom before the 2013-2014 season officially ends, the Knicks would be able to make the second year of his contract and non-guaranteed year. Of course, that would really be the first year he is with the team. It would also allow Odom, who has not appeared in an NBA game in a year, to begin working with the Knicks immediately.
Odom will turn 35 next season. He is still recovering from a back injury that cut his basketball career in Spain short earlier this year.
Sources told Stein that the Knicks are banking on Jackson being able to steer Odom’s career and life in the right direction. We all know the rumors that have surrounded Odom’s personal life over the last year. We also know how highly he thinks of Jackson and how depressed he was when Jackson retired and the Lakers traded him. If Odom is unable to revive his career in Jackson’s familiar triangle offense, he probably won’t get a shot anywhere else.
