Ariza might leave Lakers

[oiprocs]

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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.

This really sucks. I was hoping the Lakers would keep both Lamar and Trevor.

That's the downside of winning a championship in any sports. Players' stocks rise (some of them rightfully so, others not so much) and other teams pluck them away. It happened last summer when Posey left the Celtics for more cash in New Orleans, and this summer it's Ariza taking off. Interestingly enough, both guys play a similar style. Defense, outside shooting every now and then, intangibles, etc.

 

[Miramonti]

If all the lakers are offering him is $5.6m, that's the equivalent to getting kicked out. As instrumental as he was in the playoffs, which he often started over Odom, a $5.6m offer is equivalent to a snub imo.

 

[zerocool84]

Lakers should have kept Ariza instead of Odom. It doens't matter though cus everyone knew there was no way they could keep both.

 

[herkulease]

I bet you this source is his agent trying to drum up more money out of the lakers. Portland is a young and relatively cheap team. The high guy counting toward their cap is Darius Miles @ 9 million. The rest who are currently sign for next season the highest Pryzbilla at 6.8 mil. I highly doubt they will be handing Ariza 7 to 8 million.

 

[miniMUNCH]

Okay...

A) it is just a story... not what Ariza actually is thinking.

B) The NBA is a business. As a GM you do NOT overpay for players. You pay only what you need to relative to other options on the table.

C) I think this simply a ploy to get more money... which I don't fault him for in the least. It is a business after all.

D) If Ariza is, in fact, truly annoyed by this apparent snub... he'll probably calm down and realize (B).

E) If the Lakers do lose Ariza then they go after Artest big time and probably get him.

If Ariza does go to another team who'd only be able to pay the same as the lakers (if they are competitive) or maybe 1-2 mil more that is really short sighted of him. If Ariza does a deal with CLE that he can't get out of next year then that is really dumb.

At any rate it looks like Artest and Ariza will fill out MLE's at CLE and LA... that's my bet.

Edit: Were I Ariza's advisor I'd tell him not to sign a deal he can't get out of next year... take the Mid level exception (or even a wink less) as long as the following years are player option years. That way if Ariza continues to grow... he'll be worth a lot more next year and teams will have a lot more money to spend after LBJ, Wade, Bosh, and Stat land with their respective future teams.

Being a free agent sucks this year... Although so far some GM's seem to be all too ready to overpay. Gordon getting 55 million over 5 years from detroit? seriously? Who else was lining up to pay him that kinda money?

 

[Miramonti]

Ariza is a solid investment to have under contract for the next 4-5 years. No way is he going to wind up signing for <$7m imo. I figure he's worth $6-8m, and there's always someone willing to pay the upside for someone so young with a lot of potential. Artest isn't going to be signing for the MLE either...he's not that desperate to win, lol.

 

[NeoV]

Artest has already made a ton of money though, I could see him signing in Cleveland for the MLE

Portland is going to have to pony up for Roy in another year, and Aldridge after this year, but I do think they will land Hedo.

Lakers can't afford Ariza and Odom - how are they going to afford Artest and Odom?

Ariza is a much better player than Posey is/was.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

I really hope portland adds all the young cheap contracts as possibly before they require more money. Paul Allen obviously would have no problem going deep into the luxury tax if his team is winning championships.

 

[miniMUNCH]

Originally posted by: jjsole
Ariza is a solid investment to have under contract for the next 4-5 years. No way is he going to wind up signing for <$7m imo. I figure he's worth $6-8m, and there's always someone willing to pay the upside for someone so young with a lot of potential. Artest isn't going to be signing for the MLE either...he's not that desperate to win, lol.

Artest is turning 30 this year... he wants that ring. And who's gonna give him a multi year deal over the MLE that will actually have a winning record this coming year? But yeah... it all comes down to whether or not he means what he said about wanting to win.

As far as Ariza... his only upside right now is he is a decent outside shooter and can play good D on a perimeter player around his size. Everything else is a product of laker ball and having 2-4 other huge scoring threats on the floor at any given time. Paying 40 mil over 5 years is a big gamble right now and most teams who wanna have any shot of landing a big free agent next year will not spend that kinda money this summer.

 

[gwlam12]

Originally posted by: jjsole
If all the lakers are offering him is $5.6m, that's the equivalent to getting kicked out. As instrumental as he was in the playoffs, which he often started over Odom, a $5.6m offer is equivalent to a snub imo.

He didn't start over Odom, he started over Luke.

Gasol started over Odom.