The carefully conceived plan has worked.

The Heat has managed to pry restricted free agent Lamar Odom from the Clippers, giving the team its most significant free agent signing of the summer.

Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor said in a statement Monday that the Clippers have declined to match the Heat's six-year, $65 million offer sheet to Odom.

''After long and careful consideration, we have elected not to match the offer sheet presented to us by Lamar Odom,'' Baylor said. ``In the final analysis, the decision was based on issues of character and other risks involved.''

Baylor's criticism of Odom's character is in reference to Odom's two suspensions for violating the league's anti-drug policy. But Baylor was also upset Odom made negative comments about the Clippers more than two weeks ago.

Odom called the Clippers ''basketball hell,'' and he believed he was ''running in muddy waters'' with the team.

But Odom chose not to take a return shot at the Clippers on Monday, choosing instead to focus on his future.

''I'm really looking forward to having a brand new start and helping this team win and turning into a man,'' Odom said via telephone. ``The Clippers questioning my character really doesn't matter to me, especially when I have a guy like Coach Riley vouching for me.''

Odom, who was heading from Los Angeles to Miami Monday night, found out about the Clippers' statement Monday afternoon.

''I was elated,'' said Odom, who will likely be introduced in a news conference Wednesday. ``I was going to work out before I heard, and it gave me a lot more energy to work out.''

Odom has not spoke to Riley since hearing the news, but he did speak with Riley early Monday and told Riley how grateful he was.

''If they asked me to run through a wall for them right now, I would,'' Odom said.