Phoenix Suns swingman Trevor Ariza is expected to draw quite a bit of interest on the open trade market, according to a report from Marc Stein of The New York Times.
The Suns' Trevor Ariza is seen by rival teams at the top of the list of players who will be made available via trade after Dec. 15, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 4, 2018
As Stein notes in his report, Ariza, who is on a one-year, $15 million deal with Phoenix, will not be made available until Dec. 15, which is the first day players who signed free-agent contracts this past summer are eligible to be traded.
Exactly where Ariza will land remains to be seen. A solid wing, there is no doubt he would be a fine addition to any team. In his 21 appearances with the Suns this season (all starts), the former UCLA Bruin has racked up averages of 9.9 points on 37.2 percent shooting from the field (35.7 percent from beyond the arc), 5.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 34.5 minutes per outing.
According to Stein, teams around the league are hoping the Suns will buy Ariza out, just as they did with Tyson Chandler. However, it sounds like Phoenix will pursue trade offers in an attempt to garner a fair return.
Ariza is on a one-year, $15 million deal with Phoenix. Interested teams have been hoping the Suns would just buy Ariza out like they did with Tyson Chandler, but they are expected to pursue trades to try to get at least one asset in return
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 4, 2018
Ariza has played for several teams over the course of his 15-year career in the NBA, including the Suns, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets (twice), New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards.
The Suns (4-19 and fifth in the Pacific Division standing) are off to a rough start this season. Perhaps it is time to explore all options.
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