Report: Trevor Ariza close to leaving Lakers?

MiamiCanes1 · #1 07-01-2009, 08:43 PM

ESPN reports that free agent swingman Trevor Ariza is close to leaving the Lakers, possibly to sign with the Cavaliers.

The Lakers and the Cavs are both offering the mid-level exception, but Ariza is unhappy with L.A.'s blasé attitude toward his free agency. Other teams interested include the Rockets, Clippers, Raptors and Blazers.

Sources: Trevor Ariza leaning toward leaving Los Angeles Lakers - ESPN

m2k989 · #2 07-01-2009, 09:01 PM

The ESPN article frames it about Ariza wanting more than the MLE. Given that all the Lakers' moves so far have been about getting money to sign Ariza and Odom, not draft their replacements, you'd think the Lakers would be committed to getting the deals done here. They probably assumed Odom would sign first, and Ariza may want to be that guy.

dizzle498 · #3 07-02-2009, 08:30 AM

Personally, I do not think that Ariza is worth more than the mid level exception. He does not score particularly well, and he is a good not great defender. He is young, but for the Lakers to seriously consider resigning Odom, they cannot give him more than the 5.6 million exception.

If Ariza goes, I think the Lakers should look into signing Shawn Marion. He can score much better than Ariza and plays pretty good D too. I think he would be a nice fit, I am not 100% sure he would sign that mid level exception either though.

_illapeeno · #4 07-02-2009, 11:02 AM

Been reading that Odom wants 10 mill a year which is crazy if you ask me. I'd consider giving the younger Ariza the 7-8 million he's asking for then giving Odom 10. Odom already screwed himself over by stating he prefers warmer climates with beaches, it's either LA, Miami or Orlando.

dizzle498 · #5 07-02-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _illapeeno

Been reading that Odom wants 10 mill a year which is crazy if you ask me. I'd consider giving the younger Ariza the 7-8 million he's asking for then giving Odom 10. Odom already screwed himself over by stating he prefers warmer climates with beaches, it's either LA, Miami or Orlando.

The crazy thing about Lamar Odom is that the Lakers paid him $14 million last year. If they lose both Odom and Ariza, don't they have that much more $$ to get someone else? They keep talking about the luxury tax, but going to the finals 2 years in a row has to be good for the bottom line.

I would really like to the Ron "Ron Ron" Artest in a Lakers uniform. That guy can play and think the Lakers could get him for 8 - 10 million a year. He will put up 16 and 8 guaranteed.

Deftoner · #6 07-02-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzle498

The crazy thing about Lamar Odom is that the Lakers paid him $14 million last year. If they lose both Odom and Ariza, don't they have that much more $$ to get someone else? They keep talking about the luxury tax, but going to the finals 2 years in a row has to be good for the bottom line.

I would really like to the Ron "Ron Ron" Artest in a Lakers uniform. That guy can play and think the Lakers could get him for 8 - 10 million a year. He will put up 16 and 8 guaranteed.

16 and 8 guaranteed?. I don't know if that'll be the case with Kobe putting in around 25 and Pau putting in around 18 a game.

m2k989 · #7 07-02-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzle498

The crazy thing about Lamar Odom is that the Lakers paid him $14 million last year. If they lose both Odom and Ariza, don't they have that much more $$ to get someone else? They keep talking about the luxury tax, but going to the finals 2 years in a row has to be good for the bottom line.

I would really like to the Ron "Ron Ron" Artest in a Lakers uniform. That guy can play and think the Lakers could get him for 8 - 10 million a year. He will put up 16 and 8 guaranteed.

No, they don't have that much more money. If you followed the team, you'd know two things. One, most contracts are organized so that a player receives a raise every year, and those collective raises often exceed the growth in the salary cap. More importantly, the Lakers signed Bynum to an extension that kicks in for the 2009-2010 season, raising his pay from the $2 million range up to $12 million. The Lakers were over the cap last year, and those factors alone keep the team there.

It's clear that Buss has every intention of paying some luxury tax to field a team that can repeat as champions. But what the Lakers are trying to do here is sign somebody (ideally Ariza) for the MLE of around 6 million, so that player won't count toward the luxury tax. If Buss pays Odom and Ariza what they each reportedly want, you have to add more than $15 million extra in luxury tax to what they cost. Yeah, the Lakers are a profitable franchise, but that cost is still worth avoiding if at all possible.

vick805 · #8 07-02-2009, 09:06 PM

Well indeed it happened

Quote:

Report: Rockets, Ariza agree to deal

Associated Press

Updated: July 2, 2009, 11:18 PM EDT

HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Rockets have reached a multiyear deal with free agent Trevor Ariza, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because NBA rules prohibit announcing free-agent deals until next week, said the Rockets offered Ariza the full mid-level exception for the first year, about $5.6 million.
Ariza is coming to Houston just as Ron Artest decided to leave and play for the Los Angeles Lakers. Ariza is likely to take Artest's spot in the Rockets' starting lineup.

The 6-foot-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Lakers last season, which ended with the NBA championship.
The 24-year-old Ariza earned $3.1 million last season and he boosted his value during the playoffs, when he averaged 11.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Ariza was acquired by the Lakers in a trade from Orlando in November 2007. He just completed his fifth NBA season after being drafted by the New York Knicks with the 43rd overall pick in 2004.
Ariza said after the Lakers' championship run that he was hoping to stay there. But his agent, David Lee, told KRIV-TV in Houston that Ariza got the impression that the Lakers didn't want him anymore.
"It was never about the money," Lee said. "It was about being at a place where he felt wanted and appreciated."
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey did not immediately return a phone message on Thursday night.
He flew to Las Vegas on Thursday to meet with Ariza, a sign that he was already expecting Artest to leave.
The Rockets will need Ariza's versatility and perimeter shooting early next season, because they know they'll be missing Tracy McGrady for the bulk of next season. The seven-time All-Star is recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee and could be out until February. The Rockets are also awaiting a definitive prognosis on Yao, who sustained a hairline fracture in his left foot in the playoffs. Morey made an aggressive pitch to free agent center Marcin Gortat shortly after the free agency period began on Wednesday.

vick805 · #9 07-02-2009, 09:08 PM

Well now we know that Ariza was all about the money and not the championships but can you really blame him. The economy is horrid and I guess players are starting to feel it too. Wish him the best of luck

m2k989 · #10 07-02-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vick805

Well now we know that Ariza was all about the money and not the championships but can you really blame him. The economy is horrid and I guess players are starting to feel it too. Wish him the best of luck

Oh, right, because he wouldn't be financially solvent on 5.5 million next year in Los Angeles. I hope you're being sarcastic about the economy, in which case I apologize for my response.