The Phoenix Suns have been one of the worst teams in the NBA for several years and are headed in that direction once again this season, and that likely means Trevor Ariza will be wearing a new uniform at some point in the near future.
Marc Stein of the New York Times reports that rival teams expect Ariza to be the top player available when players who signed free agent contracts last offseason are eligible to be traded on Dec. 15. Many executives have hoped the Suns would buy out Ariza like they did with Tyson Chandler, but they appear to be committed to finding a trade partner.
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
Dec. 15 is the first day players who signed free agent contracts last summer are eligible to be traded and the Suns — mired at the bottom of the West — are expected to field interest from contenders in need of wing depth for Ariza
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 4, 2018
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, 33, is averaging 9.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season. He’s still an effective and experienced role player who was a key contributor for some good Houston Rockets teams before he signed with Phoenix, so you can understand why contending teams would want to add him.
There was some talk that one of LeBron James’ ex-teammates did him a favor by waiving Chandler, but teams are going to have to be patient with Ariza.
