Lamar Odom: The NBA Legend's Journey, Wealth, And Life

How Much Is Lamar Odom Worth, and What Did He Earn Over the Years?

Hey there, let's dive into the life of Lamar Odom, a true legend of the NBA. With a net worth of $30 million, Lamar has carved out an impressive legacy as a professional basketball player, primarily as a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers. Over the course of his career, Lamar earned a staggering $115 million in total salary, even before taxes. His highest-earning season came during the 2008-2009 period when the Lakers paid him a cool $14 million. Not bad for a guy who started with humble beginnings, right?

Early Life: From Tough Beginnings to Basketball Stardom

Let me tell you about Lamar's early days. Born on November 6, 1979, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York City, Lamar had a tough childhood. Losing his mom to colon cancer at the age of 12 and dealing with a dad battling heroin addiction, Lamar found solace in basketball. Raised by his grandmother, Mildred, Lamar was a standout athlete in high school, attending Christ The King Regional High School, Redemption Christian Academy, and St. Thomas Aquinas High School. By 1997, he was making waves, earning accolades such as the Parade Player of the Year, USA Today All-USC First Team, and Parade All-American First Team.

Now, Lamar did consider jumping into the NBA straight out of high school, but he decided to take his time. He received a scholarship to the University of Nevada Las Vegas, but issues with his ACT score and an arrest for soliciting prostitution caused the school to revoke the offer. Instead, Lamar enrolled at the University of Rhode Island, where he played for one season in 1998-99 before entering the NBA Draft.

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Career: From the Clippers to International Stages

Fast forward to the 1999 NBA Draft, where Lamar, standing at 6'10", was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the fourth overall pick. His first season was nothing short of spectacular, earning him a spot on the 2000 NBA All-Rookie First Team. In 2003-2004, he joined the Miami Heat alongside a rookie named Dwyane Wade. But his journey wasn't done yet; at the end of that season, Lamar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a package deal involving Caron Butler, Brian Grant, and All-Star Shaquille O'Neal. He played for the Lakers from 2004 to 2011, then moved to the Dallas Mavericks from 2011 to 2012 and returned to the Clippers from 2012 to 2013.

But Lamar's career didn't stop there. In February 2014, he signed with Laboral Kutxa Baskonia of the Spanish League and the Euroleague on a short-term deal. Unfortunately, a back injury derailed his plans, and he only appeared in two games. However, he continued playing in the NBA, finishing the 2013-2014 season with the New York Knicks.

On the international stage, Lamar represented the U.S. national basketball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, helping secure a bronze medal while averaging 9.3 points per game. He also played a key role in the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, where the team clinched the gold medal.

Personal Life: Relationships, Fame, and Challenges

Lamar's personal life has been as eventful as his career. He was in a long-term relationship with Liza Morales, and together they had three children: Destiny, born in 1998, Lamar Jr., born in 2002, and Jayden, born in 2005. Tragically, Jayden passed away in 2006 from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Then there's the famous story of Lamar and Khloé Kardashian. After just a month of dating, the couple tied the knot in September 2009, and their wedding was featured on the Kardashian family reality show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." This marriage catapulted Lamar into the world of celebrity, even leading to their own spin-off series, "Khloé & Lamar." However, the show only lasted two seasons. Things took a turn in 2013 when Lamar was arrested for a DUI and pleaded no contest, leading Khloé to file for divorce. Their relationship hit rock bottom in 2015 when Lamar was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel, suffering from kidney failure and multiple strokes and heart attacks. Despite this, Khloé stood by his side and withdrew her divorce petition. Ultimately, they finalized their divorce in December 2016.

Love didn't stop there. In 2019, Lamar announced his engagement to Sabrina Parr, a health and lifestyle coach, but the engagement was called off in 2020. Most recently, in April 2023, Lamar revealed his investment in several rehab facilities in California, launching Odom Wellness Treatment Centers to help those struggling with addiction, drawing from his own health scares.

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Real Estate: A Look at Lamar's Properties

In 2003, Lamar purchased an 8,557-square-foot mansion in Pinecrest, Florida, for just under $3 million. When he left the Miami Heat, he decided to rent it out for $20,000 per month instead of selling it right away. Over the years, he tried to sell the home, listing it for $5.2 million, then lowering the price to $4.5 million, then $4.1 million, and eventually $3.8 million. By January 2018, he had relisted it for $3.6 million.

In 2014, Lamar and Khloé sold their marital home, an 8,000-square-foot property in the Mulholland Park neighborhood of Tarzana, California, for $5.499 million. Interestingly, the home was purchased by Kaley Cuoco, star of "The Big Bang Theory." Life sure does come full circle, doesn't it?