This big ass 3-way trade that kicked off--but got deaded by David Stern--didn't just catch fans off guard. The players themselves were surprised.
Lamar Odom spoke for the first time late last night about the Lakers attempting to trade him to New Orleans inside...
The deal originally was Chris Paul to the Lakers, Pau Gasol to the Rockets, and Lamar Odom to the Hornets. With a few other players swapping among the three teams as well.
But just hours after the deal was signed and announced--all 29 other NBA team owners sent a letter to Commissioner David Stern saying how unfair the deal was base don the new "even distribution" rules of the NBA. And the deal was deaded. Interestingly, Dan Gilbert--the Cavs owner who is infamous for that open letter to LeBron James last year--was the one who kicked things off.
Lamar was feeling awkward about the trade, to say the least. And he told the L.A. Times he doesn't want to be where he's not wanted, so you probably won't find him at the first day of training camp today.
“I guess that means I’m a Laker if the trade didn’t go through,” a somber Odom said in a phone interview with The Times. “I don’t know what to do for the Lakers. I’m even weirded out by the league doing what they did. I don’t know what to do.”
“Maybe I’ll see you there tomorrow [at practice],” Odom said. “But I doubt it. You don’t want to go to no place you’re not wanted. I’ll try to give them what they want as much as possible.”
“Man, I’m just in total disbelief about all of this,” Odom continued. “They don’t want my services, for whatever reason. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I was proud to be a Laker, so I’ll try to help them in the process as much as possible."
The man makes a lot of sense. He took to his Twiiter (and got backlash for it) as well:
Wow! Talk 2 me people. I couldn't even get the phone call. When a team trades u and it doesn't go down? Now what?
And he went on to respond to the hate tweets he received:
can't front a little bit ! I was caught off guard ya mean. Wasn't prepared 4 that hook Feel me?
as soon a player says or admits its just 4 the $ they are dead wrong!?!? When it's all biz w/ us we shellfish.
I want 2 shout out 2 every1 who shows love! I 4 got there was so many haters ! I open the door and b4 I can even wipe my feet on the doormat
Im just going 2 stay positive and say thank u! The positive energy is what I live for and the negative energy I will just continue 2 eat!100
Meanwhile, Chris Paul made it known he won't be at the Hornets' practice today either. And he's looking into taking legal action.
The good news? Lamar's wife Khloe Kardashian tweeted her love and support for her man despite the drama:
I love you Lamar!!!!! There's NO one like you! I'm so proud to be your wife :)
I can survive anywhere... People are acting cray! LOL New Orleans is a great place. As long as I'm with Lam I'm good #bible
Sweet.