When the Lakers announced this past Wednesday that they released Darius Johnson-Odom, it raised a few eyebrows to those that follow the team. The releasing of Johnson-Odom is not what alarmed people, it was the fact that he was let go in China, and wasn’t allowed to finish the experience with the team prior to returning back to Los Angeles.
A pretty odd train of events for a player trying to make an NBA roster right? Well, not so much. Following being released from the Lakers, Johnson-Odom came to terms with a Chinese pro basketball team according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. The deal is estimated to be worth $400,000.
Johnson-Odom reportedly had been pondering the offer for about a week, and made the decision to accept it once the Lakers notified him that he likely would be cut from the roster.
In three pre-season games, Johnson-Odom averaged 3.7 points per game, and never really got the opportunity to make an impression on the Lakers coaching staff. This marks the second time he has been cut from the Lakers after being drafted 55th overall in 2012.
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