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He's my new if he leaves...at 2Cleva getting owned
Didn't see this on here yet.
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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.
He's my new if he leaves...
WHAT!? This better be bull .
Ouch. I'm for keeping Lamar since he's more versatile but dang...that would really hurt....especially if he goes to join LeBron & Shaq.
If this happens and we sign Rasheed....watch out.
We'll take him
The Spurs can't offer more than the MLE, which is what the Lakers are apparenly offering. I seriously doubt he'd move from LA to SA. Team and city wise.
I'm calling B.S. on this. David Lee is always talking like this. He did it during the Bynum negotiations too. He has no leverage in negotiations so he's trying to throw this story out there to scare the lakers. Ariza is going to leave his hometown because the Lakers offered the same amount their compe ors could? Riiiight.
That's not what he was trying to say.
I can't say I'm surprised Buss isn't going to overpay when he's looking at a $90+ million payroll. Losing Ariza will be a huge blow to LA, but they'd be stupid to lose Odom at Ariza's expense.
Ariza made HUGE plays during the 2009 le run
If he goes, Adieu veaux, vaches et cochons
No, most rational Laker fans were against signing Luke and Sasha altogether. They are in no way comparable to a player like Ariza that actually plays defense, has athleticism and upside. All traits vacant from Sahsa/Luke.
That's a lie. He wasn't and had a very good season the year before Van Gundy showed up.
Ariza was only coming off the bench because he told Phil that's what he wanted before the season even started in order to avoid any drama between LO/Vlad/Luke. Phil was already thinking about starting Trevor anyways as he was clearly the best SF on the Lakers roster long before Luke came to him. No need to on Ariza for being a team player.
Well the Lakers get worse in that scenario. And do you really care if Jerry Buss, Magic JOhnson and AEG save a few luxury dollars? Buss is only going to throw that money away on poker tournaments
I'm calling b.s. on this just like I am with the whole rudy fiasco.. until Its heard from the horses mouth its just a bunch of b.s. rumors.
You're right. My Mistake.
I doubt he comes to Cavs but if he did he'd be playing alongside the best player in the game and one of the best big men.
We probably sign a couple of good decent role playing bigs and its a toss up...but if sign Sheed I think LA needs Odom and Ariza to beat us in a series, IMO.
lakaluva is a and he is wetting himself. He knows that if the Lakers lose Ariza or Odom (moreso Odom) that the talent gap has closed in the NBA. Lakers will still be at the top, but they will be weaker.
Ariza's nothing more than a plugin player and he's the 5th best player on the Lakers... his production could easily be replaced.
Not a big deal if they lose him IMO.
Your mother is a , and I place no value in guys like Ariza that are a dime a dozen in this league. Odom is a must sign, but like I said before, Ariza would be sitting on our bench if it wasnt for Luke.
P.S. Nice to see you still one of my groupies
Nice to see you are still one of the 5 worst posters on ST
I'm glad the Lakers are choosing LO over Ariza cause LO is more valuable, but the Lakers need to try and get an Artest or Marion or even Hill if Ariza goes. Luke ing Walton as your starting 3 with Adam ing Morrison backing him up is crowning the Spurs the WC champions right then and there.
His defense is what's not easily replaced Ghazi. Look at who his backup is.
If it's a money issue then it's very likely the Lakers won't be spending the MLE on a replacement.
If Ariza is a dime a dozen, I ask you to find me someone else in these playoffs that:
1) Averaged Double Digit Scoring
2) Averaged 1.5 steals+
3) Shot 50% from the field & 48% from 3
4) Averaged 4+ rebounds
5) Had a positive Asst/TO ratio
Should be easy if they are a dime a dozen.
On a positive side, we might finally see a Bynum/Gasol/Odom/Kobe/Fisher lineup.
No question Lamar is more valuable, but Ariza is a big part. Replacing him with Marion or Hill or even Artest is a downgrade imo.
lol having the same opinion as Ghazi.
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