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Lamar Odom purchased $16K of cocaine in February, says alleged drug dealer

Lamar Odom spent $16,000 on cocaine in February, a man claiming to be his drug dealer said. (Rocky Widner/Getty Images)

Lamar Odom spent $16K on cocaine in February, said a man claiming to be his New York drug dealer. (Rocky Widner/Getty Images)

A man claiming to be Lamar Odom's drug dealer in New York gave an interview with Radar detailing the cocaine habits of the basketball star who was reported missing and on a drug binge in recent weeks.

According to the interview posted Tuesday, the man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he sold $16,000 worth of cocaine to Odom while the Queens native was in New York in February. Odom, who played for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, was in New York on Feb. 10 for a game against the New York Knicks and could have been in New York again one week later during his time off for the All-Star break.

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The man claiming to be his dealer said he has known Odom for three years, during which time he claims to have sold the former Clipper "roughly more than $50,000" worth of drugs. He said he has witnessed Odom "high" on cocaine approximately 10 times and that he personally watched Odom smoke the drug. In the interview, the man said Odom is a "nice guy" but has a "huge problem" because of his "addictive personality."

Odom was arrested on charges of driving under the influence in Los Angeles last week shortly after his agent refuted reports that his client was missing. ESPN cited a source last week saying the two-time NBA champion was at a Los Angeles hotel with friends as they attempted to help him with an alleged drug problem. Los Angeles prosecutors issued a statement earlier in August that said they would not file battery and grand theft charges against Odom for an incident this summer involving a photographer.

The 33-year-old is currently a free agent after stints with the Clippers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Radar cited a source with knowledge of the situation who said that Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak told Odom's agent that the team would offer him a roster spot for next season if he went to rehab.

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