Tag: Trevor Ariza

NBA free agency: Projected lineup for Lakers with Russell Westbrook

The Los Angeles Lakers always generate a ton of headlines but this year, that has happened even more as they have added several big names.

The Los Angeles Lakers always generate a ton of headlines, but this year that has happened even more as they have added several big names.

Whether it’s new names like Russell Westbrook or Carmelo Anthony or familiar faces like Trevor Ariza or Dwight Howard returning home, the Lakers are as star-studded as ever. So we wanted to take a look at what their lineup is going to resemble when the season begins.

Note that this depth chart will be inherently incomplete until we know the status of Dennis Schroeder and Talen Horton-Tucker. The Lakers can also spend the $5.9 million taxpayers’ midlevel exception to add more depth, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks. They can potentially retain Wesley Matthews and Markieff Morris as well.

We already know that the roster is old – there are five players who are older than 35 years old and eight players over 32 years old – but for now, here is a better idea of what the depth chart looks like in Los Angeles.

Report: Lakers sign forward Trevor Ariza to one-year deal

The Los Angeles Lakers are adding a familiar face at the forward position.

The Los Angeles Lakers are beginning to add free agents in the 2021-22 period.

With several open roster spots to fill following the acquisition of star point guard Russell Westbrook, the Lakers must proceed with caution in rounding out the remaining roster.

With Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way, Los Angeles needs to surround the new trio with solid floor spacers and defenders, regardless of the position they play.

Besides those three, the Lakers have only Marc Gasol and Alfonzo McKinnie on the roster, so there needs to be more talent coming into the fold.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, veteran Trevor Ariza is coming back to L.A. on a one-year deal:

Ariza, who just turned 36, fills a position of need after L.A. moved on from Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Ariza has always been a steady presence as a defensive-minded forward who can attempt open 3-pointers at a solid rate, and that should be his exact role with the Lakers.

Last season, Ariza appeared in 30 games for the Miami Heat and made 35 percent of his threes on 4.8 attempts a game.

Ariza initially made his debut for the purple and gold in the latter stages of the 2007-08 season. He then played all 82 games in 2008-09 and played a key role in the franchise’s title that season.

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How recent Rockets are faring in the 2021 NBA playoffs

Big names such as James Harden, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Clint Capela, and PJ Tucker have all had their moments in the spotlight.

The Houston Rockets had the league’s worst record in the 2020-21 season, but they still have plenty of ties to the 2021 NBA playoffs.

A crippling wave of injuries, coupled with the forced departure of superstar guard James Harden, led to an abrupt decline for a franchise that entered 2020-21 with the league’s longest streak (eight years) of consecutive playoff berths. Many players who have recently moved on are well-known and disproportionately veterans, since Houston had a clear “win now” emphasis in trying to build a title contender around Harden.

As a result, while the Rockets aren’t in the 2021 playoffs, there has been no shortage of references to the franchise. Star players such as James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Chris Paul have all held key roles, as have former coaches and executives like Mike D’Antoni and Daryl Morey.

With the 16-team playoff field now down to four in the conference finals for the East and West, here’s a look at how names from the last four Houston rosters (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21) have fared.

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With Ariza traded, the Thunder received 3 draft picks for James Johnson

Neither James Johnson nor Trevor Ariza joined the Thunder. Sam Presti still managed to pull three draft picks out of them for Oklahoma City.

He was salary match. In November, the Oklahoma City Thunder completed a draft-night trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves centered around point guard Ricky Rubio and the draft rights to Aleksej Pokusevski.

To acquire Rubio, owed $17.8 million, the Timberwolves sent the Thunder James Johnson. With an expiring $15 million contract, Johnson’s primary value was as a contract matcher — someone the Timberwolves, Thunder or a future team could use if they wanted to create a trade centered around a young prospect and a longer-tenured player.

That is, in part at least, the mindset the Dallas Mavericks had when they acquired Johnson from the Thunder as part of a three-team trade with the Detroit Pistons.

Here was the timeline:

  • Nov. 18: Draft night. The Thunder/Timberwolves trade was reported.
  • Nov. 20: The trade was announced by the two teams.
  • Nov. 27: Oklahoma City announced Johnson had been traded to the Mavericks.

In exchange for Johnson, the Thunder received Ariza, Justin Jackson, a 2023 second-round draft pick (best of either Dallas or the Miami Heat) and a 2026 second-round pick (via Dallas).

The Mavericks received Johnson. The Pistons received Delon Wright.

Ariza never suited up for the Thunder, but as a longtime NBA veteran with playoff experience, teams around the league had interest. The Thunder received calls for services as the trade deadline approached.

On Wednesday, the trade was made official by the Thunder and Heat. Ariza would go to Miami. In exchange, Oklahoma City received a 2027 second-round draft pick and big Meyers Leonard, who will not report to the Thunder.

That’s a long-winded way of saying this: In exchange for James Johnson, who was on the team for a week, Oklahoma City received three second-round draft picks, Justin Jackson, and saved about $6.4 million (the difference in the contracts of Johnson and Leonard).

It’s just a crazy scoop for general manager Sam Presti, one that traces back to the Chris Paul deal (Rubio was acquired in that trade).

For those of you on Twitter trying to compare the Thunder’s trade of Ariza and the Houston Rockets’ trade of P.J. Tucker: don’t. They are two completely different trades for two completely different players and situations.

Tucker hadn’t been playing well on the struggling Rockets, but he has been one of the most coveted role players in the league for years. Ariza has been bad on three of the last four teams he actually played for — the Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings — before playing very well for the Portland Trail Blazers. He didn’t even join the Thunder, meaning their only leverage was that the Heat were afraid they wouldn’t secure him on the buyout market.

Rafael Stone got an incredible deal for the Rockets. That’s not debatable.

It’s also not debatable that the exchange Presti got for Ariza and, by extension, Johnson, is unbelievable. He pulled out three draft picks, a player, salary savings and a $3.4M trade exception for two guys who probably never even flew to OKC after their respective trades were made.

Once again, impressive work done by the Thunder general manager.

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Woj: Thunder trade Trevor Ariza to Heat for Meyers Leonard, draft pick

The Miami Heat have traded for Trevor Ariza, according to Wojnarowski. The Thunder receive Meyers Leonard and a second-round draft pick.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have reportedly found a trade destination for forward Trevor Ariza.

A day after reports broke that they were discussing a deal with the Miami Heat, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the deal had been agreed upon.

In exchange for Ariza, the Thunder will receive big Meyers Leonard and a 2027 second-round draft pick.

Leonard is not expected to join Oklahoma City. He suffered a shoulder injury that was expected to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season, and then he was suspended by the Heat for using an anti-Semitic slur. He has a team option on his contract for next year.

The 2027 pick is the fourth the Thunder own: They have their own, the Indiana Pacers’ and the Houston Rockets’.

Ariza never played for the Thunder. Oklahoma City received him from the Detroit Pistons in a three-team trade this offseason, but he did not join the team.

In that deal, the Thunder sent James Johnson, who also never played for the team, to the Dallas Mavericks for Ariza, Justin Jackson, a 2023 second-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick. That means that in total, OKC received Jackson and three draft picks for Johnson.

Ariza is in his 17th NBA season and is a playoff-experienced 3-and-D forward who can play the 3 and 4. As the Heat chase another deep playoff run, they expect he can be helpful the way he was with the Portland Trail Blazers last season.

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Report: Thunder, Heat discussing trade for Trevor Ariza

The Miami Heat could trade for Trevor Ariza, who has not played a game for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season.

With the trade deadline approaching, the Oklahoma City Thunder are starting to get some buzz from other teams about forward Trevor Ariza. They are working on a deal with the Miami Heat, according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor.

While Ariza has not played this season, he is a 17-year veteran with nine years of playoff experience. His 3-and-D abilities could conceivably help a contender, particularly one like the Heat, who need some help at the power forward position.

The Thunder would likely receive a second-round pick and salary filler in return from whichever team can strike a deal.

Miami owns the rights to a 2022 second-rounder from the Philadelphia 76ers or Denver Nuggets, whichever is less favorable, and its own 2027 second-rounder.

The Heat player could be Meyers Leonard, who has a $9.4 million contract. Leonard played three games this season before suffering a shoulder injury and receiving surgery that was expected to be season-ending. He was then suspended indefinitely by the team for using an anti-Semitic slur.

Ironically enough, the Heat could use the trade exception of James Johnson to help match the salary of Trevor Ariza, owed $12.8 million.

The Thunder acquired Ariza from the Detroit Pistons by trading away Johnson.

Last offseason, Oklahoma City was part of a three-team trade that shipped Johnson to the Dallas Mavericks, Delon Wright to the Pistons, and Ariza, Justin Jackson, a 2023 second-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick to the Thunder.

With Ariza not part of the Thunder rotation, he could be a buyout candidate if he is not traded. With reports of several teams interested, though, Miami would like to control its own destiny in the Ariza sweepstakes.

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Report: Thunder, Heat discussing trade for Trevor Ariza

The Miami Heat could trade for Trevor Ariza, who has not played a game for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season.

Update: This article was based on a report that the Thunder and Heat were discussing a trade. Adrian Wojnarowski later reported the trade had been made. The full, up-to-date story can be found here.

With the trade deadline approaching, the Oklahoma City Thunder are starting to get some buzz from other teams about forward Trevor Ariza. They are working on a deal with the Miami Heat, according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor.

While Ariza has not played this season, he is a 17-year veteran with nine years of playoff experience. His 3-and-D abilities could conceivably help a contender, particularly one like the Heat, who need help at the power forward position.

The Thunder would likely receive a second-round pick and salary filler in return from whichever team can strike a deal.

Miami owns the rights to a 2022 second-rounder from the Philadelphia 76ers or Denver Nuggets, whichever is less favorable, and its own 2027 second-rounder.

The Heat player could be Meyers Leonard, who has a $9.4 million contract. Leonard played three games this season before suffering a shoulder injury and undergoing surgery that was expected to be season-ending. He was then suspended indefinitely by the team for using an anti-Semitic slur.

Ironically, the Heat could use the trade exception of James Johnson to help match the salary of Trevor Ariza, who is owed $12.8 million.

The Thunder acquired Ariza from the Detroit Pistons by trading away Johnson.

Last offseason, Oklahoma City was part of a three-team trade that shipped Johnson to the Dallas Mavericks, Delon Wright to the Pistons, and Ariza, Justin Jackson, a 2023 second-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick to the Thunder.

With Ariza not part of the Thunder rotation, he could be a buyout candidate if he is not traded. With reports of several teams interested, though, Miami would like to control its own destiny in the Ariza sweepstakes.

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Clippers among teams interested in George Hill, per Shams

The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the playoff teams interested in George Hill, but the Thunder are reportedly willing to keep him if their price isn’t met.

You can’t go wrong with a playoff-experienced veteran point guard on a reasonable contract. That has many teams around the league interested in Oklahoma City Thunder PG George Hill.

The Los Angeles Clippers are one of such teams, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

In a trade deadline article, Charania reported that “several playoff contenders” are interested in Hill, as well as forward Trevor Ariza, who is on the Thunder roster but did not join the team after being traded from the Detroir Pistons this offseason.

The fact that Hill has another year on his contract makes him more interesting to teams, but that also alleviates some pressure of the Thunder to sell. Charania wrote:

“The Thunder are happy retaining Hill into the second half of the season unless a team meets their asking price for the veteran point guard.”

Maybe that’s just a leverage move by OKC and general manager Sam Presti, but Hill’s $10 million contract next season would still be tradeable and is only partially guaranteed.

For the Clippers, the only team Charania mentioned explicitly in the Hill and Ariza section, Hill makes sense because Los Angeles needs a more offensive-focused point guard. Patrick Beverley is very good at what he does, but he’s not a creator or playmaker the way a typical point guard is. Hill would be an upgrade over backup Reggie Jackson as well.

That’s just one team who could fight for his service.

As for Ariza, the main challenge for a team in acquiring the forward would be matching the contract. Ariza is on the final year of his deal and is paid $12.8 million this season, so a team would have to match that.

Given as the forward did not join the Thunder, the cost to acquire him from OKC should be low. If he’s not traded, it would be reasonable toa assume possible he would be a buyout candidate, which would add some strain on Presti to trade him.

The NBA trade deadline is on March 25.

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HoopsHype: Thunder should be aggressive, scope market for young players at deadline

HoopsHype said the OKC Thunder shouldn’t be scared to trade some draft capital if the right young player hits the market.

Most are writing the Oklahoma City Thunder should be sellers at the deadline. Ship out George Hill. Try to find a taker for Al Horford and keep gathering assets.

HoopsHype is on the other train: Don’t be afraid to trade one of the picks you have. Use this time to scope the market for young talent available.

Be aggressive.

That was site’s message in its trade deadline primer with the March 25 date rapidly approaching.

Oklahoma City should either give salary relief to teams in the luxury tax or try to find a player in the mold of John Collins.

“They have enough draft equity to acquire a foundational player. For example, they could easily meet Atlanta’s demands for John Collins and, if they want him, could make the best offer on the market with multiple future first-round picks.”

The Atlanta Hawks big is young and talented, but he’s about to reach restricted free agency and could demand a hefty contract. If the Hawks trade him, the Thunder could have interest because they have cap space and a need for young talent, HoopsHype argues.

“While it’s arguably too early for the Thunder to make a consolidation trade like that, they also can’t possibly keep and make a selection with every single draft pick they’re owed. If they could turn some of those picks into a great player they covet who is very young, they should consider it.”

It’s definitely too early for the Thunder to do that. They’ll have to find a balance between Boston Celtics’ Danny Ainge (never trade the picks) and a spending spree (in the mold of the Hawks this offseason, who may have dived in a year too early).

Outside of that, HoopsHype focused on Hill, Horford and Trevor Ariza.

The outlet wrote that Hill and Ariza could be acquired for the right price (we’ll amend that to say Ariza could be acquired for literally any price. It seems likely he’ll be bought out, so the Thunder can save a little bit on his remaining salary and Ariza can sign with a team of his choosing for a cheap salary).

Horford “has rehabilitated his value after his strange season in Philadelphia and could help many competitive teams right now,” wrote analyst Yossi Gozlan.

That doesn’t mean he’ll be traded, though.

“His high salary and the Thunder’s high price demand could delay a trade involving him until the offseason.”

That all is true.

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The other name to watch is Mike Muscala, the stretch-five on a $2.3 million expiring contract.

Those are a few names the Thunder could and should consider trading.

Let’s get to it.

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ESPN’s Bobby Marks reviews Thunder’s trade possibilities at deadline

With the NBA trade deadline approaching, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reviewed the OKC Thunder’s situations with veterans George Hill, Mike Muscala and Trevor Ariza.

It seems crazy, but the NBA trade deadline is already less than a month away.

March 25 is the final day teams will be allowed to make trades. That means that the Oklahoma City Thunder lineup could be looking a bit different over the next 30 days.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks took a dive into the needs of each team and their most-likely trade possibilities. Oklahoma City, who is not expected to be a serious playoff contender despite their competitive play over the first two months, should be selling.

Marks listed George Hill, Mike Muscala and Trevor Ariza as three players likely to be moved.

Hill makes just under $10 million this season, and only $1.2 million of his $10 million contract next year is guaranteed. He’s a good 3-point shooter, good leader and has years of playoff experience. Marks wrote:

“Despite the injury, Hill checks the boxes on what a playoff team looks for: veteran leadership, playoff experience (127 career games), can start or come off the bench and has a contract that fits within the budget.”

Additionally, the Thunder would probably like to keep Theo Maledon’s minutes high as the second-round draft pick emerges as a solid NBA player. He has been starting in place of Hill since the veteran injured his thumb.

Even with the injury, teams should come calling about Hill.

Muscala accepted his $2.3 million player option for this season, and his production has made that price tag look silly low. He is a stretch-5 that can drain 3s, and Marks noted that the Thunder do not have to take back salary, so they could shed him for a second-round pick if they so choose.

“Muscala is an under-the-radar trade prospect because of his ability to stretch the floor and most important his $2.3 million contract.”

Ariza did not join the Thunder after Oklahoma City acquired him in a three-team trade. Marks wrote that he’s more likely to get bought out than traded.

“The forward is more likely to get bought out of his contract than traded. He is owed $4.3 million at the time of the trade deadline.”

Oklahoma City’s decision-making process will be aided by the enormous trade exceptions they hold. From trades this offseason, they have exceptions worth $27.6 million, $19.6 million and $7.4 million.

A rebuilding team is unlikely to use such large exceptions, though they could use it for an expensive player like Blake Griffin if their trade partner attaches enough assets on top of the deal. Additionally, they could simply use them to match lower salaries and not use the full exception.

Notably, Marks left center Al Horford off his trade review for the Thunder. That implies that the team either isn’t actively shopping him or is not expected to this season.

With two more years on Horford’s contract, Oklahoma City has time to work out a deal for him during the offseason, if they so choose.

Trade season is once again here. After a frenetic offseason, will general manager Sam Presti and the Thunder make any moves this month?

This post originally appeared on OKCThunderWire. Follow us on Facebook!