The Lakers are monitoring Trevor Ariza‘s situation and would have interest in signing him if he becomes a free agent, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
For now, Ariza – who is on an expiring contract – remains under contract with the Thunder, though he’s reportedly away from the team for family reasons. According to Charania, Ariza and veteran point guard George Hill, who is also drawing some interest around the league, are expected to open the regular season as members of the Thunder.
Oklahoma City entered full rebuilding mode this offseason and Ariza and Hill landed with the team in bigger trades that were more about other assets (draft picks). However, it makes sense for the Thunder to retain Ariza and Hill – along with fellow veteran Al Horford – rather than simply cutting them, since the club may be able to move them for an asset or two later in 2020/21.
While Horford’s contract has negative value, Ariza and Hill are earning mid-level type money and neither has a fully guaranteed salary beyond this season, so they could make good trade candidates.
Adding another veteran three-and-D wing would help fortify the Lakers’ depth chart, but they aren’t in position to trade for Ariza’s $12.8MM expiring salary. The defending champions will only be in position to add Ariza if the Thunder can’t find a taker for the 35-year-old forward and decide to release him, perhaps with a buyout agreement.
The Lakers are right up against a hard cap and figure to start the season with just 14 players, but Quinn Cook‘s contract isn’t fully guaranteed and the team should be able to add a 15th man later in the season on a prorated veteran’s minimum contract.
Ariza would likely be a nice addition to the bench, but I doubt there is anything to this story. No offense intended to the writer.
But there was purpose in writing a story about pau who hasn’t played in 2 years? Sound logic
I think there is some hypocrisy there, but Pau seems to be a much more intelligent guy than Ariza. Although I think Ariza is a smart guy, I don’t think he is on Pau’s level. Just speculation though. I think you just took exception to me disagreeing with you on another topic, which caused your post here.
Logically ariza is a player that will contribute on court, pau while “smarter” hasn’t seen consistent minutes since March of 2019 and is 40 years old coming off 2 serious foot surgeries. Ariza still has a couple solid years left unlike pau so to say it makes no sense to write an article is dumb. Your the same guy that said pau deserves a spot. Casuals these days Smdh….
The comparison is one in the same. If you think Ariza has two more solid years left in him, where he’d be expected to knock down 38%+ from deep while more specifically, joining ANY squad because of defensive purposes… at the 3… always checking the wing… and keeping up with some of the freshest legs in the business at the 3-4 position… Meanwhile, Pau would be expected to provide help solely ok the offensive end, where the brilliant footwork never goes away; post moves aren’t forgotten due to Father Time. Neither is spreading the floor. Or that Hall of Fame vision of passing lanes & reading defense. Being able to potentially hit 40% beyond the arc? The stroke doesn’t go away… Lastly, there’s no way around the fact that Pau is SEVEN FEET TALL. And is one of the greatest athletes of all-time for a man of his size… I not only think Pau is the best sign the Lakers can pursue right now, but he can make 10x the difference that Ariza can make, as much as I love Trev. You can find current Ariza level play in a 22 year old undrafted free agent. You can’t find Pau’s entire package anywhere. And I have a funny feeling that Steve Balmer, among others, are keeping close tabs on the fountain of knowledge/basketball savant Pau still is and will continue to be.
With all due respect
Man, that Pau article really got you worked up,
Truth is Pau can still be a descent backup. Even for a yr. He’s been playing in Spain
Start one Gasol – second would be backup. Both are big bodies, good passers for their positions and can hit a 3 from time to time.
This actually would be nice. Then Kuzma and KCP won’t have so much pressure
I would love for Ariza to be traded from OKC for some good nice pieces in return
This whole story is just about Ariza getting traded if he reaches free agency, which he will likely not.
Yea I doubt okc will cut him. Their is a trade market for him . They can get an asset or two for him.
Reminds me of Igoudala situation last year. Probably wishful thinking here for Lakers.
Except Igoudala was much better than Ariza. I agree about wishful, though. Igoudala would have helped the Lakers then much more than Ariza would now.
They didn’t need Igoudala’s help. And they beat the team that had him in the Finals.
Iggy is much better than Ariza? In his prime he definitely was, but now there’s not that much difference between them. Miami spending $15M this season on a guy who will play less than 15 minutes per game makes no sense.
Ha this reminds me of the “whoever gets Iggy ” is going to win the finals bit last year………
Man how that was overblown….agree with Harden Iggy is beyond a sunk cost and a shell of himself currently….. One of the few mis-steps you’ll see Riley make
35+ wing defenders ain’t the same as they were at 25. It’s not like they will play tight D on a main guy for 30+ mins per game.
There’s reason why GSW cut Iggy down.
And other than using him now as a trade chip to match contracts I see no reason why Pat signed him.
Horford is going to be flexing this year, I mean, if he can still get over the rim.
Ariza, Hill, Horford all can help a contender at TD. Thunder will get value for all three. So it’s wise not to cut them. I’m surprised Clippers aren’t doing all they can to get Hill. Say all you want about Horford. Celtics haven’t replaced him yet. They get him back with trade exception. They are coming out the East and can win it all.
Bingo on Hill…….. everyones focusing on Rozier but damn Hill feels like the lay-up here for the Clippers-
Gotta be a deadline deal here….somebodys going to need Lou’s Bn burst so maybe 3 teamer Lou to 3rd team Hill to Clips…Okc picks from 3rd team getting Lou
This is the most logical trade on the board left imo that Ive been fearing for weeks
I don’t know how he’s played the last few years, but if he’s still good, the Heat are a great team for him to play on.
With Iggy? And all the rest of those wings?
Kuzma would fit in OKC
Cant be a trade…. not enough salary to make it work
Has to be buy-out
Ariz if brought out makes sense for the Lakers on the vets min.
Cause who do they have after LeBron that is a natural SF?
KCP is a SG than can cover that spot, Kuzma is a PF that can cover that spot, Dudly is a dud, they might have some rookie or player on a two way deal that plays SF but Ariza is a role player at SF than plays LeBrons 3 and D style.
1. Schroder. Caruso
2. KCP. Mathews. THT
3. Bron. Ariza
4. AD. Kuzma. Morris
5. Gasol. Harrell
Either way the Lakers will be in the final next year and be a favourite to win it. Bron is th best player in the league even in his like 20th season.
I dont think you have to play traditional lineups with guys like Lebron Joker Ben Simmons…….. There style of play (mostly passing abilities) just needs proper spacing and a high IQ and a little bit of shooting for offence –
On defense sure, but between KCP Mathews Mckinnie THT I think they got enough fresh legs to throw at people when it matters
Id be much more concerned on a b/u traditional center right now for Gasol than a traditional SF
Are you really putting Lebron in the same category as Ben Simmons? Simmons is completely overrated. Lebron is one of the best players to ever play the game. A total freak of nature. Simmons is decent at best.
No category at all im only talking playing styles –
A Simmons offense at its best has the ball moving and open shots going up…just like Lebron
They dont gel well with having a Sf iso at the elbow or run a pinch post (I.e Paul George)
This is part of the reason why I thought it was absurd to give Tobias all that money back when as I never saw it a good fit w Simmons
Nah side what your saying. I mean LeBrons play style of 3 and D guys. Offensively they either cut to the rim for easy points or just stand and wait for knock down catch and shoot threes. Defensively you have to be able to guard your position well and be able to switch.
LeBron also likes experience heads over younger faces cause the older guys have higher IQs.
Ariza ticks those boxes.
As for the passing and driving play style I also agree Simmons and LeBron are similar. Simmons isn’t the freak of nature LeBron is but he’s similar in the fact he’s got the size and strength, passes extremely well and drives really well. He doesn’t have the finishing, shooting or leadership or James but hes improving.
LeBron even knows it’s calling himself the king and called Simmons the prince