Report: Odom deal with Knicks progressing, will include team option for 2014-15

Looking for that final push to nudge them into a playoff spot, the New York Knicks are close to signing Lamar Odom to a contract ahead of the season's final game on Wednesday.

Wait, you say the Knicks are already eliminated?

Well, that doesn't change anything. According to a report from ESPN on Tuesday morning, the Knicks are progressing towards a deal with Odom that would be consummated before the regular season ends on Wednesday.

From the report:

Sources told ESPN.com that the Knicks are on course, barring an unforeseen snag, to formally sign Odom this week in a move that would put him on their roster immediately and, more importantly, include a team option for next season.

The team option for 2014-15 is obviously key. While Odom is a "Phil Jackson guy," the move could be as much about flexibility as anything else. Keeping a non-guaranteed salary on the books entering summer allows the Knicks to include it in any trade that requires salary matching, thus allowing the Knicks to take back more salary at no guaranteed cost to the team acquiring Odom.

Of course, there's a good chance they actually want Odom for basketball reasons, too. As a versatile forward with the Lakers, Odom was a key cog in Jackson's triangle offense; while Jackson won't be coaching the Lakers, it's likely the team will take on some elements of his identity.

In the interim, the deal "would give the Knicks two months before free agency begins July 1 to get the 34-year-old into their program and start working with him." In short, the team can keep close tabs on Odom and work with him in the offseason, with the hope that their staff and Jackson can help settle his career down on and off the court.

Odom last played in 2012-13, appearing in 82 games with the Clippers but averaging just four points and 5.9 rebounds. As recently as 2010-11, Odom, now 34 years old, averaged 14.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and three assists. Three years is a long time in basketball, however, and Odom played but two organized games in Spain this season.

It's a dice-roll, to be sure, but a relatively risk-free one for New York.