Well, the Houston Rockets didn't waste any time getting back at the Los Angeles Lakers for nabbing Ron Artest. According to two reports, the Rockets are discussing a deal with free-agent forward Trevor Ariza, who was likely nudged out of Los Angeles by Artest's arrival. (Update: ESPN's Marc Stein reports Ariza has verbally commtted to Houston.)Ariza expressed disdain that the Lakers only offered the mid-level exception (approximately $5.6 million per season) and said he would take a comparable contract elsewhere. The Rockets can only offer the mid-level but with Yao Ming likely to miss next season with a left foot injury and Tracy McGrady coming off microfracture knee surgery, Ariza would have a chance to shine with the Rockets.
The question for the Ariza, 24, is whether that is enough for him to risk playing with a rebuilding team next season. The Portland Trail Blazers, who are also courting Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu, have an opening for a swingman with Martell Webster coming off injury.
Ariza flourished last season in helping the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA title and has transformed from a journeyman to a marketable player because of his age, potential and rapidly improving game. The Lakers had the difficult decision of choosing between Ariza and Lamar Odom, who should demand more money. Artest, on the other hand, was willing to accept the mid level for a chance to play in Los Angeles.
With Sasha Vujacic and Luke Walton signed to long-term deals, the Lakers were limited in what they could offer Ariza. Also, the acquisition of Adam Morrison, which also netted the useful Shannon Brown, counts $5.2 million against the cap for next season. And the Lakers have $41 million tied to Andrew Bynum over the next three years, which could become a cap killer if he does not improve.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
We loved you in LA Trev. Your agent is an idioy, he should have never played hardball against the Lakers organization.
Good luck in Houston, thanks for not going to the Crabs
what a lousy trade for LOS ANGELES. THIS WILL COME BACK TO BITE THEM IN THE ASS !
not a trade my friend, ariza has his ego pumped. this is a poor decision to leave a team that is going to threepeat. he could of stayed but got pissed lakers did not roll out the dough. artest wants to win a ring as bad as kobe did this year.go lakers in2010. randy h.
Based on what logic? You're just a sore loser, so unless you have anything insightful to post, get lost!
Trevor signed for the same amount, and years of service the lakers offered him. Time to grow up trevor and not make threats that you will not sign for the offered amount. The lakers protected
there interests before artest was off the market. you could have competed for championships in your hometown for the next 3 to five years. now you will be lucky to have a winning record in houston for the same amount of money. You really showed the lakers.
He actually signed for a little more, Lakers offered 5.6, Rockets 5.8. He wants to be appreciated & knowing he can be a "Big Man on Campus" in Houston, something he won't ever be able to be in L.A., not with Kobe there. As much as I will miss RonRon, he can have Kobe, I'd like to see the personality clashes between them! And ya know the Rockets aren't the worst team in the league, we have won championships & can do it again! Not gonna talk big to a Laker fan, cuz you will win that fight! LOL Ya'll do have a better team, but we did take you to game 7 in the second round, so we aren't THAT bad!
The Fault lies with that sorry ass General Manager Mitc Cupcake..I would have never giving Luke any amount over 100,000k Bynum had half a season of good basketball before dummie gave him a lucrative contract and softy has been getting hurt ever since..The same when they had Mihm never playing but getting big bucks for sitting on the bench... Jerry West will always be the best in the game when it comes to being a stellar General Manager; Mitch needs to be traded to the Clippers that sorry azz excuse for a Manager.
Wow! Jerry West is no longer there, and Mitch just watched his team win the championship, and will probably contend for another one. I don't know if that constitutes being called a "dummie".
I am a Laker fan. Trevor Ariza was extremely important in the title run and he definitely earned his ring. He will regret this decision to leave a champion team, where he fit in, to go to a rebuilding team, where he really won't. And for basically the same money. His next contract will likely be millions and millions of dollars less than he would have received had he opted to stay in L.A. Best of luck to him anyway, but it surely was a poor decision.
I am a lifelong Lakers fan and i still like Ariza but i think he made the wrong decision but we will know in the future..he wont be making that much more money if at all..why leave a championship team for a team that will be rebuilding. he cant carry them all by himself ..i cant believe he would say the lakers didnt want him..but this is a business..maybe he is happy with one ring instead of a chance at many more..
Good luck Trevor. Your work ethic was inspiring and a huge reason Lakers got their 15th chmpionship. I am forever a fan. Too bad it didn't work out. It is a cold business. I never liked Artest and cannot see myself rooting for him, the whole thing stinks.