Don't Be Fooled! Ariza is Playing Hard Ball

Trevor Ariza isn't going to the Cavaliers. Unless it turns out that he is one petty individual.

It's been reported that Trevor Ariza feels disrespected at the Lakers first offer of $5.5 million over an unspecified number of years. In fact, sources close to Ariza say that he is so distraught over the offer, that he could very well sign with another team, but still only offer him the same amount of money.

Hmmm, that doesn't sound like Ariza to me. That sounds a lot like his agent David Lee (no, not the overrated player for the Knicks).

"All we're looking for is little appreciation for what Trevor has done," Lee told the LA Times. "I don't think they believe Trevor is serious about leaving, and that's too bad. I didn't think we'd be in this situation. I am disappointed and surprised by what I thought would be some feelings for the people who have given you everything they've got."

Ariza's agent went on to tell the Press-Enterprise:

"I had a long conversation with Mitch, and I don't think it's going anywhere," agent David Lee said. "I think I'm being optimistic when I say it's not going anywhere."

I take all these quotes with a grain of salt. This is what agents do. They use the media as an outlet to gain leverage for their client. This is a practice as old as the game itself.

It doesn't matter what Cleveland Cavaliers lackey Chris Broussard has to say on ESPN. He has everybody going to the Cavs, but there are two reasons this is not going to happen:

1. Why would Ariza go to the Cavs if they can't offer more money than the Lakers?

2. Their two best players are going to be free agents next year, and let's face it Shaq has a zero percent chance of coming back when the Cavs could lure Chris Bosh to Cleveland next year.

I don't see him going to Portland because even though they have enough money to throw at him, they already have a gluttony of forwards. They start Nicolas Batum and Travis Outlaw (the better player) actually comes off the bench.

The only place that can give him the contract that he covets is Toronto. The Raptors are losing Shawn Marion and Anthony Parker. This would be the perfect destination for him, while their draft pick former USC legend DeMar DeRozan comes off the bench.

Finally the Press-Enterprise cites Lakers sources that say that the team is willing to match offers that Ariza receives, but they aren't going to overpay just because he plays for them.

The Lakers are playing hard ball with Ariza, just like the Dodgers did with Manny Ramirez. At the end of the day I see Ariza signing with the purple and gold, unless Toronto gives him an offer he just can't refuse.

great post man...great job on the cites and quotes and giving ur opinion.......i like ariza a lot and has so much upside but if this kid wants us to overpaid him ,,,,,we will not do that~~~!!! if he wants to go to toronto which they will have HEDO there then he should....lakers need to play hardball and same with odom............and if ariza leaves, so beat it, lets get RON and win a championship with RON

In my opinion...5 mil is pretty low. Ariza has been consistent on defense all year and has become a 3-pt threat. He deserves a little bit of a raise...6 or 7 mil per year. There's no way I would go beyond 7 mil per year. BUT if he decides to walk...well there's nothing we can't do because Lakers won't give him more than the MLE.

Well one thing is clear -- we probably won't be retaining BOTH Lamar and Ariza. If I had to choose, I would sign Trevor for 7 mill and let LO walk. He is too inconsistent; he might not be hot when we need him like he was this year. Too many 7 and 2 games. But I am not the GM, so let's see what happens.

Agreed...I would make Ariza the priority

Guys dont jump to conclusion, the market usually decides this, the lakers know that, especially in these times. I really dont think we will come out empty handed in this whole deal.

^^^i agree Urkle, i've been reading the media updates, but i've been calm this whole time, which is why i haven't posted that much since free agency. Mitch knows what he's doing. 5.6 mil for 3 years. Perfect for Ariza's production. Let him continue to grow, besides, a player averaging 9 ppg and hitting a average amount of open shots just shouldn't get more. After 3 years, when he's 26, and matured, and better, let him look for the 8-10 mil offers.

the thing is, the raptors will give him that offer he cant refuse. 5 years, 32-40 million

that's all fine and dandy Harry, but what must Trevor be thinking that a 21 yr old kid (Bynum) who has not proven anything in the playoffs gets a nice fat contract??

Learn from the past young jedi. Sasha obviously didn't earn his big raise and the jury is still out on Bynum. Oh yeah, and let's not forget the Luke thing either. $6 million is all I go. more than that, see ya. Don't forget, this was his only good season. Sound familiar?(The Machine anyone?)

Bynum at least showed the potential to drop numbers like 25 and 15, and Bynum is one of the only few original big men left in the NBA. Irreplaceable. Ariza???? Lots of 6"8 swingmen who hit open 3's.

Oh no. I disagree. Let's face facts, if bynum goes down, we slide Pau to the 5, who plays PF? Josh Powell? That's a big loss for us. Or if Pau goes down, same deal. LO brings intangibles that stats don't measure. And he is our best rebounder. Period. If trevor gets hurt, we can come back with Luke or Sasha. Don't forget, Luke played some good minutes against Denver and Orlando when Trev wasn't. If Luke plays like the luke of old, I'm okay with that. But we need to start giving LO his love. His is the #3 player on our team behind Pau and Kobe.

Uh huh, Bynum showed POTENTIAL during the REGULAR season. Ariza, PROVED in the PLAYOFFS. Yes he is replacable, but if the Lakers are willing to risk not having him, then so be it.

Urcle , noe you are being reasonable. I am proud of you.