The Los Angeles Lakers are said to have interest in adding Trevor Ariza when he becomes eligible to be traded, but it sounds like the Phoenix Suns are going to have no shortage of offers for the veteran forward.
According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 in Phoenix, the Lakers are one of at least eight teams that have expressed interest in acquiring Ariza. He adds that the Suns have not gotten close to an agreement with LA and have no interest in adding Kentavioous Caldwell-Pope.
Suns have heard from no less than 8 teams interested in acquiring Trevor Ariza. Lakers are one of those teams but there is nothing close at this time. Suns not interested in KCP and a bench player.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) December 10, 2018
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Sunday that the Suns and Lakers are trying to involve a third team in trade talks, so Phoenix probably would not end up with Caldwell-Pope even if he was involved in the deal. Still, the Lakers are going to have to put together a fairly solid offer if almost every contending team wants to add Ariza.
Ariza can be traded beginning on Dec. 15, which is the first day of eligibility for players who signed free agent contracts last summer. There was some talk that one of LeBron James’ ex-teammates did him a favor that allowed the Lakers to land ex-Suns big man Tyson Chandler, but that is far less likely to happen with Ariza. The demand for the 33-year-old is simply too high.
