Lamar Odom Returns to NBA? Approaching a Deal With New York Knicks

News has been circulating that former-Lakers forward Lamar Odom will re-sign with the NBA. The deal is still under works but he will most likely be playing with the New York Knicks in the 2014-2015 NBA season. The Knicks only has one game left for the 2013-2014 season and will not be playing in the playoffs.

Currently, Odom is playing in the Spanish ACB League but is still recuperating from a back injury. He was supposed to sign a contract with Baskonia but negotiations failed after his injury. The deal with the Knicks includes a non-guaranteed second season, with the Knicks having the choice to keep Odom for the 2014-2015 campaign. Signing Odom before the current season ends will mean that the Knicks will evade NBA rules, in a report by Sports Illustrated.

According to the International Business Times, it will be risky to sign Odom again to play in the NBA, since his final three seasons included a series of nagging injuries, DUI problems, issues with ex-wife Khloe Kardashian and being overweight. The non-guaranteed deals, however, give the Knicks an advantage that should Odom fail to meet their expectations, they can conveniently scrap the deal.

The Knicks are looking forward to improving significantly in the next season. Coach Mike Woodson was fired, while legendary coach Phil Jackson was signed as president of the team. Jackson is well-known for his triangle offense and the return of Odom will most likely contribute, together with other stars like Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudamire. There are reports that Jackson has already spoken with Odom and the former was quick to decide that he wants the forward back in the Knicks roster. Odom and Jackson worked together before with the Los Angeles Lakers where they won championship titles.

Odom also disregarded rumors that his primary intention to return to the NBA is to win his former wife back, according to a report by Hollywood Life.