Ex-NBA Star Cuttino Mobley -- Lamar Odom's Prime for an NBA Comeback

Lamar Odom's ex college roommate, and former NBA player Cuttino Mobley believes L.O. can shake off his drug problems in time to make it back to the NBA ... THIS SEASON!

Mobley, who's 38 and attempting his own comeback, was cruising through the Grove Monday when he said, "Hopefully Lamar will be back before mid (season)."

Lamar is 5 years younger than Mobley, but as TMZ first reported ... he's also battling crack addiction -- so pretty shocking to hear Mobley say Lamar will comeback before he does.

Thing is ... Cuttino looks to be in really good shape.