The question now rises.......Whom should the Lakers now keep?
Most say having Odom is more essential, on the other hand having Ariza would be much needed for his excellent defense.
According to this piece from the Los Angeles times," Kobe Bryant can terminate the last two years of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Forwards Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza officially become unrestricted free agents that day, as does reserve guard Shannon Brown........The Lakers have already committed $74 million to eight players for next season, a figure that includes $23 million earmarked for Bryant. This season's NBA salary cap was $58.68 million; the luxury-tax threshold was $71.2 million.
Odom, who will be 30 in November, was on the Lakers' books for $14.1 million this season. He would have to take a significant pay cut.

