Lakers Star Kobe Bryant Upset By Lamar Odom Trade

Kobe Bryant is reportedly upset that the Los Angeles Lakers traded Lamar Odom, Yahoo! Sports reports.

“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.”

Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks after the Lakers’ failed bid at acquiring New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul. Odom and teammate Pau Gasol were packaged in the nixed deal for the coveted All-Star point guard. The news that the Lakers were attempting to trade Odom, who played in Los Angeles for seven seasons, did not sit well with Odom, who opted to skip Lakers training camp and subsequently demanded a trade in a meeting with general manager Mitch Kupchak.

“Lamar was a fine player for us in his seven years with the Lakers and was a key to helping us win two championships,” Kupchak said in a statement. “In addition, he always conducted himself with class and professionalism, and we wish him well in the remainder of his career.”