[llperez]

Just read on espn that trevor Ariza is more then likely leaving the Lakers with Cleavland as his most likely destination. Apparently the Lakers have decided that Odom is the more important free agent and are only willing to offer Ariza the mid level exception of about 5.5 million dollars. Cleveland is only offering the same, but apparently Ariza is upset at the Lakers and looks at the offer as a slap in the face. So he would accept the midlevel from another team before he would accept it from the Lakers.

Houston, Portland, and Toronto are also all pursuing him.

As a Laker fan, I am glad they are going with Odom over Ariza if that is in fact the case. Ariza is great on defense, but is very replaceable on the offensive end. For the Lakers, this could mean playing Odom a little bit at the 3, as well as possible more mnutes up for grabs for Walton, Vujacic, Morrison, and SBrown. It will hurt, but far from cripple them.

What you guys think?

[NYK2010Participant]

Ariza is more valuable because his defense against Carmello, Hedo, Artest and other wing players is huge. Odom is not the 3 pt shooter Ariza is. Vujacic, Morrison, S. Brown , Walton are all bench players. If they lose Ariza they’ll be out in the 2nd round probably with the Spurs, Nuggets getting better. This makes no sense for the Cavs either he’s a SF so is LeBron guess they plan on using James as a PF a lot.

[llperez]

I agree losing Ariza hurts, but with Bynum getting healthy, and the development from young guys like SBrown and Farmar, I think you are putting too much stock into Ariza by suggesting that the Lakers go from winning the title to being out in the second round. Personally, I think they would still be the favorites in the west.

[MuggsyParticipant]

Oh and I’d take Odom over Ariza clearly.

[MuggsyParticipant]

Interesting, but I’m not sure how that rotation would work.

O’Neal
James
Ariza
West
Williams

Could be a pretty balanced OFF & DEF lineup. But I doubt James will be playing PF full time.

[llperez]

I appreciate everything he did for the Lakers, but I think he might be this season’s James Posey. He benefitted from playing with great players and his stock might be a little higher then his true value as a player. This could end up haunting the Lakers, but they are strapped for cash and if I had to pick between Ariza and Odom, I would go with Odom. He brings so much to the table, and he shot well from the perimeter in the Finals.

[butidonthavemoney]

Ariza is fast enough to play shooting guard, no?

[MuggsyParticipant]

I considered that also. Ariza at SG with West as 6th man could be pretty nice, but who’s at PF if Cavs don’t resign Varejao?

[HaleParticipant]

Williams
Ariza
James
???
O’Neal

Personally I think anyone would be a better pf the Varejao, all he does is piss opponents off and get dominated by stars down low.

[MuggsyParticipant]

Yeah, honestly Cavs should be pursuing a PF more than Ariza. But that’s just me. I think they really wanted Villanueva but since the Pistons stole him they are just trying to sign anyone they think can help.

[bakimm]

maybe sheed can be picked up

[europebasketball]

Ariza just wants the money now, because he was a key success in the playoffs of him.

[Tha King2121Participant]

Pick up Bass for the PF………him and Shaq 2 big bodys

[Rubio is a beastParticipant]

It would be a gamble if Ariza went to the Cavs. There is some talk that Lebron will leave for free agency, and if he does, Ariza will be on the possibly worst team in the NBA. He’ll want a team that will be a winner for a long time. If he thinks James will stay, then he willl go to the Cavs. But the Lakers went the Championship, and won. What more does he want?

[HaleParticipant]

Exactly, he won a championship. Now it is time for him to get his own career started and not just be part of Kobe’s legacy.

[dwat4444Participant]

MILLSAP. He’s the perfect fit for this team. I think it will be interesting cuz I’ve also seen where Orlando wants Millsap too. They could be having a bidding war and whoever wins it could have the edge in the conf. finals.

[OldSkoolBasketballParticipant]

I heard Cavs are interested in Ron Artest.

[BasketballGuru24Participant]

Don’t Get to Excited Cavs Fan…..the Cavs are only offering the mid-level exception , Toronto and portland said they will offer more then that, obviously ariza won his ring, so right now he is aimed toward the money…..so im just saying don’t be suprised if portland or toronto lands him, and the situation will be more clear when, hedo turkolu wil be signed…..because both toronto and portland are pursuing him as well, so the team that gets Turkolu will not be in the race to get ariza, so that might make things more clear

[MuggsyParticipant]

O’Neal
Sheed
James
Ariza
Williams

West 6th man

That would be sick.

[CavsDawgParticipant]

Trevor Ariza is using Cleveland, i’d say there’s maybe a 10% chance he actually signs with Cleveland.

he’s offended by LA only offering the MLE but he’ll take the MLE from Cleveland? isn’t that the exact opposite of the hometown discount?

he’s using Cleveland to get more money, saying “well Cleveland is a contender and they’re offering the MLE”

makes 0 sense that he’d sign with Cleveland, don’t expect to be seeing Ariza jersey’s in Cleveland

[torontoraptors10Participant]

Ariza won’t be signing with the Cavaliers. Cavs are offering a MLE and what CavsDawg said is completely right.

If Portland gets Ariza, Raptors will be getting Turkoglu, or vice-versa

[Stanford hoopsParticipant]

laker fan here and yes that is a blow and he will be missed but odom does so many other things that we need more then what ariza brought to the table..and its easier to replace ariza then it would be to replace odom..im sure the laker will regroup and sign someone to fill the arizas void im not too worried..would have been more worried if we lost odom

[Stanford hoopsParticipant]

oh i didnt know they are offering mle..arizas agent already said they are seeking more than that

[NYK2010Participant]

too bad he didin’t get more.

[NYK2010Participant]

too bad he didin’t get more.

[NYK2010Participant]

too bad he didin’t get more.

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