The Los Angeles Lakers are planning to improve their roster before Thursday's trade deadline. Aside from pursuing a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans for Anthony Davis, they are also looking for 3-point shooters with expiring contracts on the trade market. The Lakers have already traded for Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Bullock, and according to The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, they are still interested in Washington Wizards veteran Trevor Ariza:
Don’t be surprised if the Wizards explore deals involving Trevor Ariza, whom they acquired from the Suns in December. Teams that expressed interest in trading for him the first time around, such as the Lakers, still retain it, according to league sources.
The Lakers have been wanting to acquire Ariza for a while now. They tried to get him from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but no deal materialized. Ariza was eventually traded to the Wizards in December, but Washington was still pushing to make the playoffs. Now that it's unlikely to happen, the Wizards may look to unload his contract.
Ariza would give the Lakers perimeter shooting and defense, two things the team is severely lacking right now. In addition, he would bring veteran leadership to a team filled with young talent (for now).
Ariza won a championship with the Lakers back in 2009.
The Lakers are in danger of missing the playoffs, and in order for them to save the season, they are looking for guys who fit next to LeBron James. As history suggests, in order for LeBron to be effective, he needs to be surrounded by spot-up shooters. Bullock will fill that role just fine.
Trevor Ariza would do the same.
Follow Us
Subscribe