Khloe Kardashian's husband Lamar Odom has been dropped by the Dallas Mavericks and sent to the lower leagues.
Management decided the forward should play for the Development League's Texas Legends because he is out of shape and suffering from poor form.
Legends owner and Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson confirmed Lamar, 32, himself came up with the idea to play at the lower tier first.
He has not appeared in a game since Feb 20, as he left the team to attend to his ill father in Los Angeles.
The two-time NBA champion was expected to report back to the Mavericks on the Monday after the All-Star break, but did not arrive in Dallas until Wednesday.
While the team was in Memphis on Wednesday, owner Mark Cuban met in Dallas with Odom and his agent Jeff Schwartz to work on a timetable to ease him back into the fold after his weeklong personal leave.
He will still receive his bumper $8.9m salary as he tries to battle back to full fitness.
His team mate Jason Kidd acknowledged that Odom's inconsistent effort and extended absence were issues worthy of concern, although he remains supportive.
He said: 'Trust factor is always big. For that, he's going to have to earn it with a lot of the guys.
'But we all give second chances, third chances. For that, we just want him to be him and be comfortable and play.'
The team's star player Dirk Nowitzki, who has been forced to play extra minutes due to Odom's absence, added: 'If he can play hard every night and be there for us, it'll be OK.'
Odom will miss at least two more games. The Mavericks play the Hornets Friday night in New Orleans and host the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
He has struggled immensely ever since he was traded away from the Lakers at the beginning of the season, so far turning in career low statistics.
Some have claimed his involvement with the Kardashians, including starring in his own reality show Khloe and Lamar, is causing him to lose focus on the basketball court.
Management decided the forward should play for the Development League's Texas Legends because he is out of shape and suffering from poor form.
Legends owner and Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson confirmed Lamar, 32, himself came up with the idea to play at the lower tier first.
Dropped: Lamar Odom has been removed from the Dallas Mavericks roster so he can regain fitness in the lower leagues
The two-time NBA champion was expected to report back to the Mavericks on the Monday after the All-Star break, but did not arrive in Dallas until Wednesday.
Bad form: Lamar and Khloe will be disappointed with his performances this year
He will still receive his bumper $8.9m salary as he tries to battle back to full fitness.
His team mate Jason Kidd acknowledged that Odom's inconsistent effort and extended absence were issues worthy of concern, although he remains supportive.
He said: 'Trust factor is always big. For that, he's going to have to earn it with a lot of the guys.
'But we all give second chances, third chances. For that, we just want him to be him and be comfortable and play.'
The team's star player Dirk Nowitzki, who has been forced to play extra minutes due to Odom's absence, added: 'If he can play hard every night and be there for us, it'll be OK.'
Odom will miss at least two more games. The Mavericks play the Hornets Friday night in New Orleans and host the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
He has struggled immensely ever since he was traded away from the Lakers at the beginning of the season, so far turning in career low statistics.
Some have claimed his involvement with the Kardashians, including starring in his own reality show Khloe and Lamar, is causing him to lose focus on the basketball court.
Losing his focus? There are fears appearing in Khloe and Lamar is distracting him from the game
Gone Lake: Lamar had previously been a star player alongside Kobe Bryant for the LA Lakers but got traded
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