you just beat me to it.![]()
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4303256
HOUSTON -- A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets are meeting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza.
The person, who did not want to be identified because the negotiations were ongoing, said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was meeting with the free agent in Las Vegas.
The meeting was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston, which also said coach Rick Adelman was meeting with Ariza. The AP source could not confirm that.
David Lee, Ariza's agent, did not immediately return a phone message left by the AP.
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.
Why the would he want to play for the Rockets?
Maybe they can offer him more money..not sure where Houston stands...the kid is only 24...let him get his paper...plus, this makes a lot of sense..I think they're preparing for Artest's departure.
Damn, Shane+Ariza is a nasty defensive combo.
^^b/c without tmac and yao we took the lakers to 7.
We may get gortat and plugging in Ariza will only make us better even if we lose Artest.
I don't think you're getting Gortat...but Ariza will be good if you lose Artest.
You're probably right. But I'm still hoping. I know he wants to start and we can give him the starting 5 spot for the first half guaranteed and probably let him have the starting spot to close out the season and if he does well--even the start in the postseason. Yao will be the highest paid, most dominant, somewhat fragile, 5 off the bench in the history of this game.
Rockets GM Morey Meets
with Ariza
Updated: Thursday, 02 Jul 2009, 2:57 PM CDT
Published : Thursday, 02 Jul 2009, 1:50 PM CDT
HOUSTON - Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey is in Las Vegas Thursday meeting with free agent forward Trevor Ariza according to his agent David Lee in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.
"Your general manager (is) meeting with Trevor (Thursday)," Lee said. "Trevor and (head coach) Rick (Adelman) spoke by phone (Wednesday).
"This is a five-year commitment. It's important for Trevor to go to a place where he his wanted and can contribute."
According to Lee, Houston would be a perfect fit.
"The Rockets have liked Trevor for a long time," Lee said. "They covet what he can do."
Lee said he has already received a number of offers, most of them are the mid-level exception.
"But two of three of those offers are more than that," Lee said.
Lee said Ariza is getting more and more interest every day because, until recently, most teams believed the Los Angeles Lakers were not going to let him go.
A five-year veteran, Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 steals last season for the Lakers.
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/spor..._ariza_rockets
Yeah...but it looks like Dallas is about to overpay for Gortat, giving him the full MLE...he'll take that if that's the case. If Orlando doesn't match what Dallas is offering, he'll probably head there.
Even though Dallas doesn't even need a center, they still need a solid two guard
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought Houston only had the MLE to offer him??
Those two guys essentially play the same position. They guard 2's and 3's and can shoot the three. But both can't really create their own shots.
I think it's kinda redundant for the Rockets.
Not sure. Unrestricted maybe?
And lots of it.. Time to cash in on your value.
IIRC, Ariza is restricted.
He's pissed that Mitch took the "We are going to offer you no more than the MLE and decide if we're going to match any other offers you receive" stance and apparantly that set off Ariza.
Someone reported that he is willing to take the same amount of money (MLE) to play for another team rather than suffer this "slap in the face" from the Lakers.
I don't know if this is posturing on his part or not...
All Agent talk so his client can get paid more by LA. The thing is LA doesn't want to pay him anymore money lol. Paying him more would probably mean jeopardizing the money they want to use to sign Odom back. I don't think at this point in his career he is gonna want to go for the MLE. This is probably his best chance to get a raise lol. It's going to be interesting watching how this unfolds.
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