http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_S_lakers_30.3cd2531.html MLE range sounds good. I wonder who will offer him more than that, if so bye bye.
I wonder if we could get Marion or Artest for the MLE? Ron Ron is doubtful, but Marion could be possible. Seems like he's been humbled as well after leaving Phoenix, he no longer thinks he's the #1 option. If so, would you guys take either of them over Trevor at the same price?
No. Ariza > Marion. Ariza > Artest. Both will ruin chemistry. I didn't even know people give home town discounts until like...last year. Like, when the fuck did that term come into play? Bring Ariza back...no more than $6 million/year.
What happens if someone offers more? Do we match it or just let him walk? If so, who do we replace him with? My guess is if Trevor leaves, we bring in someone cheap, like a Matt Barnes, or maybe even a Grant Hill (does he want a ring?). Then use the MLE to upgrade the PG position. If Trevor leaves I wouldn't be surprised if Kidd is playing with us next year. We'll probably go after him hard, no homo.
I think we should overpay for him, bite the bullet this year. I doubt he seriously asks for more than 8 a year ( I've heard as high as 10 but I think that'll go down).
I think we've made him our first priority. If Bynum can act like a 12 million a year guy, we won't need LO nearly as much Trev. Ariza has a lot to deal with at that position.
I love Trevor but I'm not willing to give him an offer more than MLE money. I'm skeptical about a long term deal as well. Seeing what happened to Luke and Sasha, I'm getting weary with these "contract year" players. Don't get me wrong, I love Trevor, but I felt similarly towards Sasha last year, and Luke during his contract year. Don't forget either that Trevor has foot problems. I'd hate to offer him a 5 year deal 7 million a year and have him end up injured every year, or have his jumpshot "mysteriously" disappear. I hope management understands that yes, it is critical we keep this team together, but there are other options out there that we can improve with. Just be smart. If they feel like the foot concerns are bogus, if they feel like he has allstar potential, then do what you must. But just keep your eyes open because there are plenty of other options out there in free agency, not just your own guys. Lakers could've went out and offered guys like Delonte West or Roger Mason contract last year. Instead, they kept focusing on Sasha and look at the results.
He's done it for us in the playoffs, he fits perfectly with us. Sasha was a luxury addition and Trev is younger than when Luke exploded.
Naw, HK. I think Lost brings up a good point. Like you were cautious with Bynum's knee, Ariza has had multiple foot issues. With his style of play that is a legit concern. If he wants over $7 million/year, let him walk. SF's like Ariza are rather common.
Detroit, Portland, and Toronto are expected to pursue him. You know, Ariza got his ring. Most players don't even get that, you think he goes for the money now? I could easily see him getting around $8 million/year.
Who do we get at what price? The replacement would be a much better bargain? 2 million is nothing, we have 12 coming off soon.
Doesn't matter. I love Trev but let's just take a look at things. Has he ever really been healthy since coming into the league? Besides his rookie year, no. There are reports he has a bad foot condition as well, not sure how big of an issue it is, but it's there. I'm skeptical about his durability still. Has his game vastly improved this year, during his contract year? Yes. All of a sudden he can shoot threes and hit jumpers, when before, apparently he couldn't shoot the ball to save his life. Who does that remind me of? Luke, in his contract year, when all of a sudden he started stroking threes. Sasha, last year when all of a sudden "everything came together" and he became a sniper. You can make an argument that even before his contract year, unlike Luke and Sasha, Trevor was still a decent player, which is true. He as still able to play D, rack up steals, and dunk the ball. But if you're playing him 7 million a year to do all that, then that's overpaying. Dramatically. Not sure if I'm being unfair to Trevor or anything, but Luke and Sasha have left a sour taste in my mouth. To Luke's credit, he stepped up this season, but his play still doesn't justify his contract. All I'm saying is, we just won a championship. The economy is down. LA is a hot spot. There are plenty of options out there. I hope Mitch takes a look around first before committing.
Corey Maggette got a 5 year/$50 million offer. You don't think Ariza can get that? If Portland misses out on Hedo, they'll move to Ariza. I think Ariza will be back, but I wouldn't be surprised if he bolted.
If Ariza leaves for another team, I doubt he'll live up to the expectations and the contract team X gives him. He has a good thing going for him in LA, and maybe he should give LA that discount.
His replacement could be Matt Barnes, at cheap. Then we use the MLE to sign Jason Kidd, or another PG. PG: Kidd/Fish/Brown SG: Kobe/Sasha SF: Barnes/Luke/AMMO PF: Gasol/Lamar/JP C: Drew/DJ Ideally, we retain LO and Trev. But if the price gets too high, we have to look elsewhere. That roster above IMO can compete with anybody, just like a roster with LO and Trevor. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Like I've been saying, plenty of options this offseason. Be smart and don't fuck it up.
Kidd/Fisher/Brown Kobe/Brown/Sasha Barnes/Walton/Ammo Gasol/Odom/Powell Bynum/Mbenga Ideally, Odom starts @ SF.
Luke never had a playoff run like Ariza nor did Sasha. Trevor was composed overall in the playoffs, you don't just get that anywhere. Sign Trev and Kidd. Let LO walk if it comes down to a money crisis. Sasha will be gone soon too, he won't matter.
Lol, Ariza had a good stretch of playoff games. That doesn't make him a playoff type player. If he can do that for 2 or 3 more type of post seasons, then yeah he'll earn his paycheck. I agree that Ariza is more valuable than Odom. If keeping Ariza for $8 million/year means losing Odom, you down for that? I don't know...TBH. I want to say yes, but seeing Drew go down again would be absolutely dreadful. I agree Ariza + Kidd would make me feel less sick about losing Odom.
