The Times has reported that Odom and his agent, Jeff Schwartz, are seeking $10 million a season. The Lakers have offered Odom a deal north of $9 million a season for the first three years.
Odom and Schwartz are seeking more money and years.
"I can't discuss that," said Odom, who attended a screening party Monday night for the DVD featuring the Lakers' 2008-09 championship run. "You talk about money, it's touchy. It's a touchy subject.
"The Lakers have been too good to me to rub people over there the wrong way. The Lakers have been nothing but great to me, and I want to keep the relationship great."
Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who improved on his offer of $8 million a season to Odom, is getting frustrated and is thinking about pulling the deal off the table soon.
Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak talked at halftime of a game between the Lakers and Clippers on Monday in Las Vegas at the summer league, saying that the talks with Odom left him "not as hopeful as I was on Friday."
When asked why, Kupchak said, "Just a feeling you get."
"Right now, I'm not sure we're on the same page."
Odom was asked whether it was true the Miami Heat had made him an offer.
The Heat has only the midlevel exception of $5.8 million but might be willing to give Odom a five-year, $34-million deal. Miami signed Odom to a five-year, $65-million contract in 2003 before trading him to the Lakers in 2004 in a deal involving Shaquille O'Neal.
"I don't know how to answer that question," Odom said about Miami being a suitor. "I'm pretty sure there might be other teams. I just won a championship."
http://www.latimes.com/sp...009jul14,0,6204069.story