After trading Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks before the season for nothing more than a draft pick and a trade exception, the Lakers found themselves without their Sixth Man of the Year and the guy who anchored their second unit.



Now, with Odom expected to be bought out by the Mavericks next month, the possibility of Odom returning to the Lakers is seeming more and more likely.

Recently on ESPN Radio, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith mentioned the mutual interest in both sides of the situation.

“(Odom) desperately wants to come back and wants to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. Mike Brown desperately wants him back. He’s going to talk to Buss and Lakers hierarchy to see what they can do about getting Lamar Odom back.”

Smith has been close to Odom for much of his career. When Odom was initially traded to the New Orleans Hornets as a part of the nixed Chris Paul deal in December, he went on Smith’s radio program to discuss his feelings, so it’s safe to say Smith is a credible source in this scenario.

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Kobe Bryant expressed his desire to have Odom back earlier this season, and there have even been rumors that L.A. is looking to bring back Odom and another former Laker, Trevor Ariza.

The free agency period will begin next month.