http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060711/SPORTS/607110331/1002 Magic's Ariza draws interest from several other NBA teams BY JOHN DENTON FLORIDA TODAY MAITLAND -- Already locked in a heated free-agent contract battle with DeShawn Stevenson, the Orlando Magic could be headed toward another contentious negotiation with small forward Trevor Ariza. Ariza, a 6-foot-8, 200-pound small forward, is garnering what his agent calls "substantial interest" from several NBA teams, making his return to the Magic anything but a guarantee. Since Ariza is a restricted free agent, Orlando has the right to match any offer he receives. But Magic general manager Otis Smith continues to insist that he isn't about to overpay. The Magic acquired Ariza, 21, in February from the New York Knicks in the Steve Francis trade. In 21 games with the Magic, he made quite an impression, showing flashes of star potential at times. He averaged 4.7 points and 3.9 rebounds with Orlando, hitting double-digits in scoring four times. His play apparently didn't go unnoticed around the NBA. Ariza's agent, David Lee, said Denver, Houston, Sacramento and New York have expressed interest in offering Ariza a contract. Knicks general manager/coach Isiah Thomas also is a big fan and inquired Monday about Ariza's availability, Lee said. Teams and players can't officially sign deals until Wednesday. If Ariza signs an offer sheet with a team, Orlando would have 10 days to match the offer or allow him to leave. Lee said he hopes it doesn't come to that because Ariza wants to return to Orlando. Ariza, who played for the NBA minimum last season, likely is seeking a deal worth more than $3 million a season. Stevenson is asking for a deal in excess of $4.5 million a season for five years. "Otis and I have had a number of conversations, and he's aware of the substantive interest in Trevor," Lee said. "We hope that we can do this without pushing the envelope." Lee said Ariza has been working out twice a day for the past two months, claiming the 200-pound small forward has added nine pounds of muscle. He also has worked hard to shore up his one glaring weakness -- his wayward jump shot. Said Lee: "He's a jump shot away from being an All-Star." Could Ariza be part of Plan B? I liked him as a rookie with the Knicks, although his .412 shooting percentage last season makes me nervous, as does his agent's final comment. Many players are "a jump shot away from being an All-Star." Keith Bogans, for instance.
Actually, it would be a 2-for-1. We get a formet Knick AND a former Magic. I hope we are offering our full MLE to him. We can't afford to pass on a deal like this.
Knicks general manager/coach Isiah Thomas also is a big fan and inquired Monday about Ariza's availability, Lee said. is there a player in the league that Zeke is not interested in ???
Trevor Ariza is a "jumper" away from being a star in this league. The kid can play. He's a 2/3 and can play both positions easily.
I like Ariza and think he fits with what Van Gundy wants, but he brings very little in the way of shooting, while he is fundamentally a three and we have plenty of guys there right now. It seems like a longer two would would be a better fit than Ariza, but those are hard to come by this year.
I’m glad the Rockets are not completely oblivious to the fact that they still have not addressed the lack of a tall shooting guard with youth and athleticism that has plagued them the past several seasons. If they find a way to add Ariza and Marcus Banks with the MLE this offseason, I will be extremely pleased.
Sound reasonable as a plan B but even though i like this kid very much the whole mle seems a bit too much.
Think Diaw-breakout possibilites (maybe that's going a little too far). But seriously, he is a nice young player with a great work ethic and vesitile, natural ability. He's an excellent defender (averages about 1 steal every 17 minutes) and can play the 2/3. I'd love to get him, but I'd feel a lot better about offering him good money if we had our bonified 3rd scoring threat. If we can pull off the Mike James deal, this is the guy we should be giving a chunk of our MLE to.
He's asking for $3 million. I like Ariza, and he'd be a good wing. Good athlete, good size. No range, but if we can't get James, I'd rather settle on Ariza than Flip Murray. Evan
If the Rockets were able to get Mike James with either the MLE or the TE and then used which other of those methods that wasn't used to get James and to get Ariza, then I think that would be a solid move. Any quickness/youth we might have lost in dealing away Swift we could get back with Ariza. Ariza is exactly the kind of "combo-forward" today's NBA teams are starting to use. Of course, from the JVG standpoint, would he even play him? But if I am CD/Morey I would get him, as he is a low risk/high reward type of young player the team should take a flyer on if it has the means to do so.
If we get Mike James, we would be more than likely have to toss one of the TE's at Orlando to get Trevor, and it would be a good deal Trevor would be a nice complimentary player next to Yao and Tracy
The "moneyball" speaks... http://www.82games.com/rosenbaum3.htm Battier ranked #1 defense for Small Forwards, Ariza is ranked 4th. Marcus Banks ranked 2nd, so I'm sure we'll throw him some cash if MJ goes to Dallas (or if we get him in a SnT). Other notables... Demarr Johnson (#6 SG)... Cato (#9 for centers... *cough*) and our man Deke # 2. Also, Chandler's #6 rank underscores my belief that Chicago gave him away.
