Former NBA champion Lamar Odom is anticipated to accept a plea deal in his driving under the influence case in Las Vegas. His attorney, Michael Becker, stated that Odom plans to enter a no-contest plea to a reduced charge of reckless driving. This plea will allow Odom to accept the terms set by the Clark County District Attorney's Office without formally admitting guilt.
Odom, 46, was arrested on January 17 and subsequently charged with DUI, speeding, and failure to maintain a driving lane. He had previously pleaded not guilty to these charges in March. A bench trial was scheduled for Tuesday in Las Vegas Justice Court, but it has been postponed to allow for the plea entry later this month. Becker indicated that Odom is not expected to be present for the hearing.
The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol observed Odom speeding and making lane changes without signaling on a Las Vegas highway on the night of his arrest. According to the trooper's report, Odom exhibited bloodshot eyes and a smell of marijuana upon being pulled over. Odom reportedly denied consuming alcohol and suggested his passenger was smoking marijuana. The trooper described Odom's performance on field sobriety tests as unsatisfactory, noting his inability to touch his nose and loss of balance.
Odom enjoyed a 14-year NBA career, winning championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010. He also played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and Dallas Mavericks. His personal life has also been in the public eye, including his marriage to reality television personality Khloe Kardashian, which concluded in divorce. In 2013, Odom was arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles and later pleaded no contest, receiving three years of probation.
In 2015, Odom experienced a widely reported medical emergency at a legal brothel in Nevada. At the time, Odom allegedly told a trooper he had suffered multiple strokes and heart attacks and believed he had been "poisoned at the brothel."