The Los Angeles Lakers are currently one of the hottest teams in the NBA after their 2-5 start to the season and they may be picking up some additional help. It has been reported that the team was in negotiations with the Phoenix Suns on a trade for forward Trevor Ariza and there is some new info regarding those discussions.
According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, there are a few rival NBA executives that believe the two teams have already agreed to a deal.
“In regard to Trevor Ariza going to the Lakers I’ve had a handful of NBA executives tell me that they’ve heard that’s going to happen, it’s done, it’s just a matter of everything else. Like figuring out what the rest of that deal is.”
The player rumored to be sent out from Los Angeles is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but both Ariza and Caldwell-Pope can’t be traded until December 15th since they were signed during the last free agency period.
Another hitch in a deal revolving around those two players is that Caldwell-Pope has a no-trade clause due to his bird rights. However, the Lakers could potentially work around this issue by going through his agent Rich Paul, who famously represents Lakers star, LeBron James.
Prior reports of the two teams talking did mention that there might be a third team involved which is likely what O’Connor was referring to with his statement. The Suns reportedly are looking for a playmaking guard and KCP doesn’t exactly fit that profile so it will be worth watching who the moving parts will be.
This wouldn’t be the first time since James arrived in Los Angeles that his former teammate, and current Suns GM, James Jones would be helping the Lakers out. There were reports that when Jones bought out Tyson Chandler just weeks into the NBA season that he was doing his long-time teammate a favor, and trading Ariza to the Lakers might just be another.
Ariza hasn’t played very well since signing in Phoenix, but as we’ve seen with Chandler’s resurgence in LA that may very well turn around with a change of scenery.
He is no longer a spring chicken, but I recall how disappointed I was when he left the Lakers. I haven’t looked at his stats, but I recall him as being a clutch 3 point shooter and the most likely person on the floor to come up with a steal. The NBA game is even more one of matchups. You are not likely to beat GS unless you have someone to seriously impair the offensive of one or two of the big three. TA could do that to Durant or Thompson. don’t give up one of your young core, the twin towers, or Rondo. They can have any of the rest who can be replaced by kids from the JV team. I like Caruso, as does Luke, but he might be someone that Phoenix would consider. He is a solid point guard who plays good D.