Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Lamar Odom

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 12, 2026

Discover the career path of Lamar Odom, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Lamar Odom is a prominent former professional basketball player who enjoyed a highly successful 14-season career in the NBA. Drafted in 1999, he played for teams including the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and Dallas Mavericks, notably winning back-to-back NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010. Beyond his athletic achievements, Odom became a significant pop-culture figure due to his high-profile marriage to Khloé Kardashian and his appearances on reality television. Despite his professional success, his life has been marked by personal turbulence, including struggles with substance abuse and a life-threatening medical emergency in 2015. Odom has since focused on his recovery, advocacy for addiction awareness, and sharing his journey through memoirs and public speaking, highlighting both the triumphs of his basketball legacy and the challenges of his personal life.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1997: Parade Player of the Year Recognition

In 1997, Lamar Odom achieved significant national recognition during his senior year of high school, most notably being named the Parade Player of the Year. Throughout this year, he also secured a spot on the USA Today All-USA First Team and earned his second consecutive selection to the Parade All-American First Team.

1997: Parade National Player of the Year

In 1997, Lamar Odom received national player of the year honors from Parade magazine for his exceptional performance during his high school basketball career.

1998: Standout College Basketball Season at Rhode Island

During the 1998 season, Lamar Odom played for the Rhode Island Rams, where he averaged 17.6 points per game and led his team to the Atlantic 10 conference championship. His performance earned him First Team All-Conference honors, the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year award, and the tournament MVP title after he hit a game-winning buzzer-beater against Temple.

1999: NBA Draft Selection

During the 1999 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Clippers selected Lamar Odom with the fourth overall pick in the first round, marking his transition to professional basketball.

2000: 2000–01 NBA Season Performance

During the 2000–01 season, Lamar Odom saw his scoring average rise to 17.2 points per game while starting in 74 games for the Los Angeles Clippers, though the team ultimately failed to qualify for the playoffs.

2000: NBA All-Rookie First Team Selection

Following a successful debut season with the Los Angeles Clippers where he averaged 16.6 points per game and showcased strong performance in his first game, Lamar Odom was officially named to the 2000 NBA All-Rookie First Team.

2002: 2002-03 NBA Season Participation

During the 2002-03 season, Lamar Odom participated in only 49 games, setting the stage for his transition to restricted free agency the following summer.

2003: Signing with the Miami Heat

In 2003, following his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers, Lamar Odom signed with the Miami Heat as a restricted free agent for the 2003–04 season.

2004: Lamar Odom's 2004-05 Season Challenges with the Lakers

During the 2004-05 NBA season, Lamar Odom experienced a significant setback when a left shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign. Despite contributing strong personal statistics, including 15.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, the Los Angeles Lakers failed to qualify for the playoffs, marking a rare historical low for the franchise.

2004: 2004 Olympic Bronze Medal

In 2004, Lamar Odom competed as a member of the United States national basketball team, successfully securing a bronze medal during the Olympic Games.

2005: 2005-06 NBA Season Performance

During the 2005 season, Lamar Odom experienced a season of two halves; after an inconsistent start, he improved his play significantly for the Los Angeles Lakers. He achieved his first consecutive triple-doubles as a Laker against the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers, ultimately averaging 14.8 points and 9.2 rebounds during the regular season, and elevating those numbers in the playoffs despite a first-round exit against the Phoenix Suns.

2006: 2006-07 NBA Season Performance

During the 2006-2007 season, Lamar Odom played in 56 games while dealing with injuries, ultimately averaging 15.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

2007: Increased Production during the 2007–08 Season

During the 2007–08 season, following an injury to teammate Andrew Bynum and the acquisition of Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom increased his on-court production, averaging 15.3 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists across 36 games in 2007.

2008: Lakers Sixth Man Transition

During the 2008–09 NBA season, Lamar Odom initially struggled with fitness at training camp and faced a transition to a sixth man role for the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite initial reluctance as a pending free agent, he accepted the reserve position to support his team and chase an NBA championship.

2008: 2008 NBA Finals Appearance

In 2008, Lamar Odom and the Los Angeles Lakers competed in the NBA Finals; however, Odom's individual statistics declined to 13.5 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists per game as the Lakers were defeated by the Boston Celtics.

July 31, 2009: Lamar Odom Signs Four-Year Contract with Los Angeles Lakers

On July 31, 2009, following a month of contract negotiations and interest from the Miami Heat, Lamar Odom officially signed a four-year, $33 million contract to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers.

2009: 2009 NBA Championship Win

In 2009, Lamar Odom achieved a major career milestone by winning his first NBA championship as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers after they defeated the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals.

2010: 2010 FIBA World Championship Gold Medal

During the 2010 FIBA World Championship, which was later rebranded as the World Cup, Lamar Odom helped lead the United States national team to win a gold medal.

2010: Lakers Career-High Season and Sixth Man of the Year Campaign

During the 2010-2011 season, Lamar Odom delivered a standout performance for the Los Angeles Lakers, achieving career-highs in three-point shooting and overall field goal percentage. Throughout 2010 and into 2011, he served as a versatile asset both as a starter during Andrew Bynum's absence and as a reserve, ultimately earning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, a franchise first for the Lakers.

2010: Lamar Odom Wins 2010 NBA Championship

In 2010, Lamar Odom played a pivotal role in helping the Los Angeles Lakers secure an NBA Championship title by defeating the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals.

2010: Second Consecutive NBA Championship

Lamar Odom secured his second consecutive NBA championship title while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2010 season.

December 11, 2011: Lamar Odom Traded to Dallas Mavericks

On December 11, 2011, Lamar Odom was officially traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for a first-round draft pick and an $8.9 million trade exception. This move followed the public vetoing of a separate three-team deal by Commissioner David Stern and Odom's subsequent request for a trade due to feeling disrespected by the Lakers organization.

2011: Trade to the Dallas Mavericks

After spending seven seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Lamar Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, a move which preceded a decline in his professional career.