Dallas Mavericks and Lamar Odom part ways for rest of season

Lamar Odom and the Dallas Mavericks have decided to part ways. Although the move isn’t an official release- he’ll be listed as inactive for the remainder of the season- Odom will not be with the team. He released a statement:

“The Mavericks and I have mutually agreed that it’s in the best interest of both parties for me to step away from the team,” Odom said in a statement to ESPN.com. “I’m sorry that things didn’t work out better for both of us, but I wish the Mavs’ organization, my teammates and Dallas fans nothing but continued success in the defense of their championship.”

The trade from the Lakers to the Mavericks came about after the now infamous canceled trade between the Lakers and Hornets that would’ve brought Chris Paul to the Lakeshow. Odom never found his groove in Dallas and missed time away from the team to deal with personal matters in LA for a stretch.

The question for the offseason, what team is willing to take a chance on such a fragile individual? If Lamar isn’t mentally engaged, his on court play suffers and it’s a wasted effort.

Any team that has Odom on its roster as of June 29 must buy him out by that date for $2.4 million or accept responsibility for the full $8.2 million that Odom is scheduled to earn in 2012-13.