Free Agent: Trevor Ariza

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[link removed]

some more Ariza highlights

[ace3g]

Wizards Closing In On DeShawn Stevenson

Orlando Sentinel - The Washington Wizards have emerged among three suitors as perhaps the front-runner for shooting guard DeShawn Stevenson, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Rob Pelinka, Stevenson's agent, told the Sentinel on Wednesday that three teams other than the Magic are in the hunt, and two have made offers.

The Stevenson camp expects a third offer later this week.

The offers for Stevenson from the other clubs apparently are better than anything the Magic have brought to the table so far.

Link

this sort of relates to Ariza and the spurs because if the magic dont resign Stevenson they will have more money to offer Ariza

[Mr. Body]

Orlando has indicated they want to keep either Ariza or Stevenson, having room for only one. Interest in Stevenson indicates they're keeping Ariza.

Which is too bad. He's a nice player. And I think I'll stop reading the boards, since all they do is get your hopes up.

[whottt]

They've said all along they are not going to give up cap space to keep him.

I am not sure I get the logic here...whether or not they get Deshawn Stephenson has nothing to do with what they are willing to pay Ariza...

They are over the cap...losing Deshawn Stephenson doesn't automatically make Ariza worth an extra million dollar per year...the two are unrelated. The point is that the Magic aren't wanting to pay any money right now.



And guess what...Stephenson and Ariza are not interchangeable...Stephenson is a pure 2 guard and Ariza is not a back court player of any kind.


Losing Stephenson makes them have a huge hole at the 2 guard spot with only a rookie to fill it, and no back up.

They've got two Small Forwards under contract in Hedo and Grant Hill.


When you lose a SG, it does not auatomatically give you more money to sign a PG with. It increases the need for a 2guard...not money to spend on a PG. Ditto 2 guard and SF.


The two are not interchangeable and neither are Ariza and Stephenson.

[Solid D]

Great instincts and sonar-like ability to get to the ball. Throw a ball across the living room or den and Trevor would beat your dog to the ball and bring it back to you.

Would need extra work with Chip Engelland.

Larry Brown soured on him so who knows what Larry would tell Pop and RC about him? Spurs have little to no luck with RFAs. They may have to over-pay on Trevor to get him.

Also not sure how long it would take Trevor to learn the defensive rotational scheme of the Spurs. It doesn't come easily for everybody, as we have come to find out.

[Mr. Body]

The point is Orlando thinks they can keep only one of these two players. Losing both is not what they want. Keeping both is not what they want.

Solid D- did Larry Brown really sour on him? It was more a factor of trying to find a rotation that worked - didn't they set a record for different starting fives in a year? No doubt he's a young and bull-headed player sometimes, but he seems somewhat coachable. He certainly loves to play. And then Isiah got rid of him in the Francis trade...

[ducks]

The Washington Wizards have emerged among three suitors as perhaps the front-runner for shooting guard DeShawn Stevenson, who started all 82 games for the Orlando Magic last season.

Rob Pelinka, Stevenson's agent, told the Sentinel on Wednesday that three teams other than the Magic are in the hunt, and two have made offers.

The Stevenson camp expects a third offer later this week. Pelinka said he could not divulge the interested teams, but an Eastern Conference executive told the Sentinel that the Wizards are one of the clubs. Pelinka had no further comment.

The offers for Stevenson from the other clubs apparently are better than anything the Magic have brought to the table so far. Teams can sign free agents starting next Wednesday. A key sticking point for Stevenson is the number of years in the offer.

Stevenson was to make $3 million next season, the final year of his contract, but exercised an option in his deal to become an unrestricted free agent. Magic General Manager Otis Smith reiterated Wednesday that the Magic want to bring back Stevenson at a "reasonable" number, which is about $3 million to $3.5 million for perhaps three years.

Pelinka wants Stevenson to make at least $4.5 million to start and a longer deal, perhaps five years. Asked if there was wiggle room, Smith said, "Not much wiggle."

Smith also is trying to re-sign free-agent forward Trevor Ariza, and that's becoming more difficult than the Magic imagined. At least six teams have expressed interest.

Last week, Orlando drafted shooting guard J.J. Re with the No. 11 pick. Re said he had a herniated disk in his back about two weeks ago, but Smith said he expects Re to play in the five-day summer league. He will sign his rookie contract and take a physical before participating in the games, starting Friday at RDV Sportsplex.

The games, which aren't open to the public, will feature rookies and free agents from the Magic, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Bobcats. The Magic roster includes Magic guard Travis Diener, ex-Gator Matt Walsh and eight-year NBA vet Darvin Ham. Meanwhile, Orlando hired Tom Smith, an Atlanta Hawks assistant trainer, as head trainer.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...ports-headlines

[Mr. Body]

Six teams? He'll get paid more than he's worth at this point.

That means the Spurs will back off.

[Solid D]

The point is Orlando thinks they can keep only one of these two players. Losing both is not what they want. Keeping both is not what they want.

Solid D- did Larry Brown really sour on him? It was more a factor of trying to find a rotation that worked - didn't they set a record for different starting fives in a year? No doubt he's a young and bull-headed player sometimes, but he seems somewhat coachable. He certainly loves to play. And then Isiah got rid of him in the Francis trade...

Ariza was given his opportunities early-on by Larry Brown, with Larry cherishing the teachable moments with the piece of clay. Then he buried Ariza on the bench after a period of time.

I don't know or remember all the cir stances surrounding Brown and Ariza but I found an article that gives a flavor of it.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...p-322445c.html

[Mr. Body]

Sounds like he fell victim to Brown's famous irritation with rookies and younger players. Ariza was anything but consistent. Still isn't, so I'm not surprised he got pushed down the rotation.