Lakers, Odom Close to a Compromise

Sources from inside the Lakers' organization have informed me this afternoon that there was a telephone conversation between Lamar Odom's agent, Jeff Schwartz, and Laker's owner, Jerry Buss, this morning and that the two parties are close to a compromise.

Buss, who had originally offered a 3 year, $30 million guaranteed contract, has apparently amended his current offer to 3 years, $24 million, with a team option for a 4th year. Odom's agent is seeking for that 4th year to be guaranteed for a total deal of 4 years, $32 million. Odom would rather stay in Los Angeles, according to sources, but the separation between the Lakers' 3-year offer and the Miami Heat's proposed 5-year MLE offer may be enough to prompt Odom to leave.

Buss is reportedly willing to add that 4th guaranteed year that will allow Lamar to accept the Lakers' offer, and this decision will most likely come in the next few days. Stay tuned.