Trevor Ariza is reportedly involved in trade discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The trade involves the Lakers, the Phoenix Suns and a third team that still hasn’t been mentioned. The third team would acquire Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the Lakers would get Ariza. The Suns are looking to get a playmaking guard to fill up the point guard spot and a draft pick. The trade can’t be completed until December 15th because Ariza and Pope were signed in the summer as free agents.
Caldwell-Pope signed a one-year, $12 Million contract in the summer with the Lakers. This season his minutes (21.5) have dropped in comparison to last season (33.2). In consequence, his stats had a setback and are lower than last year. This season he is averaging 8.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.
Trevor Ariza signed a one-year, $15 Million contract in the summer to add some veteran presence on a roster. The 15-year vet is averaging 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 33.6 minutes per game.
The Lakers hope to add more experience to the roster with Ariza and improve their defense which ranks 9th in the league. As for the Suns, they want a playmaking guard to let Devin Booker play more off the ball and be a scorer more than a playmaker for the team.
