Lamar Odom played 13 seasons at the NBA level, suiting up for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks over the course of his career.However, the 6’10” big man was best known for his sixth man role on two championship teams with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010. Odom appeared in 519 regular-season games for the purple and gold, making 382 starts while averaging 13.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists over 35.1 minutes per contest in seven seasons.Despite the fact that a number of off-court issues negatively affected his life in recent years, Odom revealed that the Lakers essentially destroyed his NBA career by trading him away.“That trade from the Lakers basically ended my career and purpose,” Odom told Shams Charania of The Vertical. “I was never really myself ever again. Being in L.A., the structure, the people I knew, it hurt leaving. I had great memories with the Lakers, with Kobe and Pau. That was a special time in my life.” Odom was dealt to the Mavericks before the 2011-2012 season in exchange for an $8.9 million trade exception and a protected first-round draft pick, right after Dallas eliminated L.A. in the playoffs.“I got traded the season after we lost to Dallas in the playoffs, and I had won Sixth Man of the Year for the team,” Odom continued. “To trade me after winning Sixth Man of the Year … what else do I got to do? Why?”At the time of the trade, two of Odom’s Laker teammates spoke out in displeasure."To be honest with you, I don't like it," Kobe Bryant told reporters. "It's tough to lose Lamar. Pau (Gasol) is still here, and we're all thankful for that. It's hard when you've been through so many battles with players to just see them go somewhere else. It's tough.” 

Kobe continued, "Especially to them. We were supposed to come back and get them back. It's tough. ... Do I think we got too little? Who did we get? I don't think Mark Cuban is protesting this trade.”

"As a basketball player, it confuses you as to what your focus should be," Derek Fisher said. "I'm very disappointed and frustrated… If I had my choice, Lamar would be a Laker for life.”

Odom went on to play 50 games for Dallas in 2011-2012, averaging 6.6 points and 4.2 boards over just 20.5 minutes per contest. He then went on to play his final season for the Clippers the following year and put up a career-low 4.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game.

While he openly admits that the trade to Dallas harmed him, it seems as though Odom is committed towards moving forward. In fact, he’s in discussions to retire as a member of the Lakers on a one-day contract in the near future.

“My family looks forward to me retiring as a Laker more than me,” Odom explained. “I’m not really emotional about being praised, about signing for a day. I’m shy at the end of the day. For my son, for my family, for my fans, they may enjoy that day. It’s for them.”