DALLAS - Lamar Odom is done after 50 games in Dallas, a mutual decision that comes with the defending NBA champion Mavericks trying to make sure they get back in the playoffs.
General manager Donnie Nelson said Monday it has been a difficult year for 32-year-old Odom, the team and the fans.
"The timing is what it is. These things never come at the best of times, so we felt with the playoff push coming up it was probably in everyone's interest," Nelson said. "Look, it's been a frustrating situation. Lamar hasn't performed like he wants to perform, is capable of performing. He's dealt with a lot of personal issues, and at this point, we need to be able to count on some folks. It's never easy to do these things. We just need to move on."
Odom has been placed on the inactive list and will not play for the Mavericks, who have nine games left the regular season and are seventh in the Western Conference standings.
Last Monday, Odom missed a game with a stomach illness. On Saturday, he played four minutes in a 94-89 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Back in March, Dallas Mavericks fans booed Odom during a one-point, one-rebound, one-assist game against the Lakers. It was something Odom called "hurtful" and "confusing."
"I think people took that the wrong way and the next thing I know, I'm trying to come out of a slump and I check into a game and I'm getting booed," he said. "I'm not really used to that."
Coming into the team, Odom admitted to being out of shape and still distressed from a tumultuous summer. In July, his 24-year-old cousin was murdered, and just days later he was a passenger in a car that fatally struck a 15-year-old pedestrian.
Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in December. He previously played with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was named 2011 Sixth Man of the Year. In his last season with the Lakers, he averaged 14.4 points per game.
The body of a man, identified as 26-year-old Jason Jones of Duncanville, was found on the shoulder of the Turnpike after his white Jeep Grand Cherokee was spotted just after 3 a.m. Monday. Hem averaged 6.6 points, 4.2 rebound and 20.5 minutes in his 50 games for Dallas. All were career lows.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban hoped Odom could fill a void after the team decided against re-signing Chandler, considered a key piece of the championship team because of his leadership skills and strong defensive presence.
The decision on Chandler was widely viewed as something that would give the Mavericks flexibility to pursue free agents this summer -- notably Dwight Howard and Deron Williams -- but Cuban maintained the addition of Odom's ability to shoot, pass and defend gave the Mavs a strong chance to defend their crown.
Without Odom, the Mavericks lose their best backup to Nowitzki. The team said Monday it was recalling guard-forward Kelenna Azubuike from the NBA Development League. He hasn't played in the NBA since injuring a knee two seasons ago and averaged 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in seven games with the Texas Legends.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
