Odom hears trade talk

His cell and home phones ring constantly, and he gets countless text messages daily.

All his friends and family have the same questions for Lamar Odom.

"Yo, L.O., you getting traded? Yo, L.O., you going to the Pacers? Yo, L.O., what's up?"

Odom can't go anywhere without hearing his name being mentioned along with Los Angeles Lakers teammate Andrew Bynum and the team's No. 1 draft pick (19) in a deal for Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal.

"Of course I'm getting called all the time about that," Odom said in a phone interview. "It's flattering. But I want to be a Laker."

Odom had surgery last month to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder that will require four months to heal.

He will get an MRI next week on his right knee to determine if he needs surgery for a sprained MCL.

Having a surgery -- or two -- wouldn't necessarily prohibit Odom from being a part of a potential blockbuster trade this summer.

"I hope they don't have to do the surgery," Odom said. "But if they do, it'll be done in time to be ready for the season."

Recently, Odom listened intently to teammate Kobe Bryant vent.

Kobe Bryant demanded to be traded, rescinded that and asked to be traded again, leaving Odom to say "that was a wild week."

Odom said he spoke with Kobe Bryant late last week.

"I couldn't tell if he was frustrated," Odom said. "But for us to have a conversation, obviously something had to be up."

Could Odom gauge whether Kobe Bryant wanted to be traded or remain with the Los Angeles Lakers?

"I have no idea," Odom said. "Nor would I ever ask him that."

Odom, who averaged 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season, injured his shoulder March 2. But he missed just five games, playing in pain the rest of the season and in the playoffs.

He has been traded before, coming to LA from Miami as part of the Shaquille O'Neal deal in 2004.

Odom wants to play for the Los Angeles Lakers but said the business of sports dictates that players have to move on.

"I'm 100 percent down for the Los Angeles Lakers," Odom said. "But you have to understand that this is a business. Nobody likes to be traded off their team. But if you do, hopefully your game protects you and puts you in a situation where it's comfortable, as far as being accepted by the other organization."

Odom, who has two years and $27,397,192 left on his contract, said he would seek an extension if he is traded.

Odom has been getting treatment for his shoulder three days a week and said he hasn't talked to the Los Angeles Lakers about the trade talks.

"I don't think it's like that for me to have to talk to them right now," Odom said.

More Los Angeles Lakers Notes

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson will have left hip-replacement surgery Tuesday but should be ready in time for training camp that begins Oct. 2 in Hawaii. Jackson had the same procedure done on his right hip last October.

Shammond Williams has decided to return to Europe. Williams, an unrestricted free agent who spent one season with the Los Angeles Lakers, is expected to sign with Pamesa Valencia, a team in Spain. Williams spent the 2004-05 season in Russia and the next season in Barcelona, Spain.

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