9 Players the Miami Heat gave up on way too early

3. Lamar Odom, traded in 2004

Lamar Odom was another young player that ended up being part of that trade package for Shaquille O’Neal that you can argue the Miami Heat gave up on too soon. After a solid start to his career with the LA Clippers, Odom was signed by the Heat during the 2003 offseason. The idea was that he would be a veteran influence on a talented young Heat team. And that’s exactly what he was for the Heat in which he averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists per game on 43 percent shooting from the field.

He was so good for Miami that one season he became the centerpiece of the blockbuster deal for Shaq. In the end, the deal would work out for both sides but the longevity that Odom had after the deal with the Lakers compared to Shaq with the Heat is what makes this a real conversation.

Odom would go on to have a great career. He won two NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and would win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 2011. Still, it would’ve been interesting to see how history is changed if the Heat had held on to him.