By Kareem Shaker

El Segundo, CA

The Los Angeles Lakers just got worse and the Dallas Mavericks got better and what Kobe Bryant can't understand is why his team was a willing participant.

The Lakers traded forward Lamar Odom and a second-round draft pick to the Mavericks Sunday for a first-round pick and an $8.9 million trade exception.

"Lamar was a fine player for us in his seven years with the Lakers and was a key to helping us win two championships," LA general manager Mitch 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."

The writing was on the wall for last season's Sixth Man of the Year after Odom was included in Los Angeles' attempt to trade for New Orleans star guard Chris Paul.

Commissioner David Stern inexplicably blocked that deal, setting off an aftermath that is still being sorted out and that resulted in Odom becoming a Mav.

Odom refused to report to the Lakers' opening day of training camp on Friday and then requested a trade in a meeting with Kupchak. In a surprising move, the Lakers turned around and dealt Odom to Dallas, which swept Los Angeles in the second round of last season's playoffs.

"To be honest with you, I don't like it," Bryant said. "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."

There have been reports that the Lakers are turning their attention to trying to acquire Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard and the Odom trade could be part of the Lakers' attempt to get that move going.

 

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Lakers Trade Lamar Odom to Mavericks Much to Kobe's Chagrin