Forward Lamar Odom will skip what was Saturday's scheduled return to the court in the D-League, and instead report directly to the Dallas Mavericks as they seek to snap a four-game skid.

Odom, his agent, Jeff Schwartz, and Mavs owner Mark Cuban had met earlier this week in Dallas and worked out a plan to ease Odom back onto the team after his personal absence unexpectedly extended more than a week.

He was just hours away from reporting to the Legends in nearby Frisco for the morning shootaround and was to play in their game Saturday night to build up stamina before returning to the Mavs for their road game Monday at Oklahoma City. Odom has not played in a game since Feb. 20.

But after Dallas lost Friday to the New Orleans Hornets 97-92, plans changed because the Mavs need him now.

While the Mavs will have Odom on Saturday night, the Legends were stuck dealing with fans who purchased tickets for Odom's D-League debut.

Legends president Bill Boyce and Donnie Nelson, the Legends owner and Mavs president of basketball operations, said fans who might be disgruntled can call the Legends' main number, followed by the proper extension and Boyce will handle on a case-by-case basis.

"Obviously, this is unprecedented for us," Boyce said. "We take customer satisfaction very seriously."

Odom's return also raises questions in Dallas, where on Friday, coach Rick Carlisle for the first time made strong comments regarding Odom's situation and what will be expected from him upon his return.

Carlisle said that patience -- from Cuban to Nelson, to himself and the players in the locker room -- is running thin.