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Lakers chosing Odom over Ariza is the most logical choice....
Updated: July 1, 2009, 10:42 PM ET
Sources: Ariza may leave Lakers
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By Chris Broussard
ESPN.com
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Trevor Ariza's short but sweet stay in Los Angeles might be coming to an end.
Ariza
The 24-year-old swingman, who played a key role in the Lakers' run to their 15th NBA championship, is on the verge of leaving the club, sources close to the situation said on Wednesday.
With at least five teams pursuing Ariza, the Lakers are currently unwilling to pay him more than the $5.6 million mid-level exception.
"They're letting him go," one of the sources said.
Cleveland is making a hard push for Ariza, and the Cavaliers' coaching staff was speaking with him on Wednesday. While Cleveland can only offer the mid-level as well, Ariza's disappointment with the Lakers' stance has moved other suitors ahead of his current team.
The Rockets, Clippers, Raptors and Blazers are also showing interest in Ariza. Portland and Toronto could each offer more than the mid-level exception.
If the Lakers refuse to increase their offer, it's a clear indication that they are choosing their other big free agent forward, Lamar Odom, over the younger Ariza.
Ariza averaged 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds in the regular season for the Lakers last season. He increased his scoring to 11.3 points and had 4.2 rebounds per game in the playoffs. He had 16 points and 15 points in the last two Lakers victories in the Finals.
Those numbers were a jump over his career averages of 6.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Ariza has played for three teams in his five-year career.
Chris Broussard covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine.
Lakers chosing Odom over Ariza is the most logical choice....
Good...If he leaves LA, this offseason will go from good to great in a matter of weeks
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4301414
Trevor Ariza's short but sweet stay in Los Angeles might be coming to an end.
The 24-year-old swingman, who played a key role in the Lakers' run to their 15th NBA championship, is on the verge of leaving the club, sources close to the situation said on Wednesday.
With at least five teams pursuing Ariza, the Lakers are currently unwilling to pay him more than the $5.6 million mid-level exception.
"They're letting him go," one of the sources said.
Looks like Odom's going to be off the market.
Eh, sounds like a bit of shady reporting...
Hard to believe Ariza would choose another team if the money is the same. I think he was a huge part of the Lakers success and would be a rather big blow to their chances of repeating. Ariza is a of a defender and if he continues to hit the 3 point shot he will be a nightmare SF for opposing coaches.
so who guards parker now? if ariza leaves
Dang, if he goes to Cleveland he makes that squad much better. But it's addition by subtraction (for the Spurs) in LA...
If he's gone then its either Odom or Artest.
at 2Cleva getting owned
That would be tight...as long a they don't replace with artest. It would be bonus to our recent additions-ariza helped them a ton in the playoffs, without him they very well could've lost to a number of teams last year. I think he's worthy more than the MLE at his age, his size, and how well he did in the playoffs i don't blame him if he goes looking for better money
Last edited by holcs50; 07-01-2009 at 10:51 PM.
Would be a big loss for L.A
He made some huge plays for them lin the 2009 playoffs
Isn't that the truth.
I hope he goes to the Eastern Conference, Toronto is going after Hedo though and would he accept the MLE for the cavs over the lakers? If Portland happens to get him they will have too many wings.
well, if he ever wants a BIG contract, he may want to go to a place where he can get more than the token shots that a roster of Kobe, Paul, and Odom will afford him. the number of shots that he got last year are just about all that will be available for him over the next few years.
now, he doesn't seem like a kid who cares too much about that. but i don't know if enough about him to say that hasn't entered his mind.
I don't think Ariza will have as much succeess as he had in LA, unless the system fits him very nicely. He's definitely a talented player but if he goes to the wrong team/not the Spurs *haha* then I see this as a win-win situation. LA loses Trevor, the Spurs don't have to worry about Ariza.
I forgot who said it but he should just take the highest offer for one year and get paid next year. Lets just hope its not in LA.
I would choose Ariza over Odom any day..Ariza is younger and has a bright future. He was also a big part of the Lakers success last year in the season and playoffs.Id see Ariza going to Orlando if he dosent return to LA and Magic don't resign Hedo Turkglou
Without Ariza, unless Lakers can pick up another defensive stud, they bettr hope Manu isn't healthy going into he playoffs. With Jefferson and Manu they be screwed.
No Ariza means the Lakers fall below the Spurs.
I don't know what the Lakers are thinking choosing Odom over Ariza.
Thats re ed.
Uh not fail.
Ariza is a developing stud wing whos only 24 and was gonna develop into a damn good player with the Lakers and he was in his hometown.
Kupchack=idiot.
Fail again.
Odom is a game changing player on both ends of the floor. When he is on the Lakers are pretty much unstoppable. Ariza is just a good role player with upside at this point.
Odom > Ariza
come on. Lakers would be losing more if they let Odom go
Well it looks like Artest will head to either Cleveland or LA
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