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Los Angeles Lakers: Top 30 greatest players of all-time

By Ben Beecken

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the first half while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the first half while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers, Lamar Odom
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Lamar Odom. 17. player. 20. . Forward. Los Angeles Lakers

  • 7 seasons with Lakers (2004-11)
  • Averaged 13.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game
  • 2x NBA champion with Lakers

In today’s NBA, switchability and all-around versatility are vital skills for forwards. Lamar Odom was ahead of time in some respects when it came to how he was used throughout his career.

Odom began his career as the fourth-overall draft pick by the Clippers out of the University of Rhode Island in 1999. After four solid seasons with the “other” L.A. squad, Odom signed with the Miami Heat in free agency.

Odom scored 17.1 points per game in South Beach, earning himself a spot in the trade that sent Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat.

The versatile forward started 277 regular season games over the next four seasons, averaging 15 points,10 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game in the process. He was a vital part of the 2009 and 2010 back-to-back title-winning squads, although he came off the bench for roughly half of the games.

Odom remained a solid contributor in the playoffs, averaging 13 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in postseason play. His ability to guard multiple positions, rebound his position, and knock down open jumpers when needed was enough to keep him on the floor in key moments throughout his Lakers career.

He was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in his final year with the Lakers before his career wound down in unceremonious fashion.

Odom was traded from the Lakers to the Mavericks, and after an awful season in Dallas, he was sent back to the Clippers. He appeared in 82 games, mostly off the bench, for the 2012-13 Clippers and hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since.

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