Report: Knicks consider former Laker Odom

The New York Knicks are showing interest in potentially signing former Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom before the NBA playoffs begin next week.

ESPN.com reported Friday night that the Knicks are considering the veteran free agent at the urging of new team president Phil Jackson, who worked with Odom for five seasons while coaching the Lakers.

The 34-year-old Odom returned to his native New York City recently after playing just two games with Laboral Kutxa Baskonia in the Spanish ACB before a back injury ended his brief stay overseas.

According to ESPN, the Knicks are looking at options that include signing Odom to a contract with a team option for next season. Jackson is trying to gauge whether Odom is serious about making a comeback.

To be eligible for the playoffs, Odom would have to sign before the end of the regular season on Wednesday night.

Odom last played in the NBA during the 2012-13 season with the Los Angeles Clippers. After the season, he was arrested on a drunken driving charge and also was reported to have substance-abuse issues. His rocky personal life also included a highly publicized divorce from reality TV star Khloe Kardashian.

In Odom’s five seasons with the Lakers, he was a member of two championship teams. After Jackson’s final season in 2010-11, Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks.