Lakers Acquire Trevor Ariza for Brian Cook, Mo Evans
We now interrupt the "What to do at the center spot?" post I was going to put up for this announcement- The Lakers have traded Brian Cook and Mo Evans to the Magic for forward Trevor Ariza. The fourth year forward, late of UCLA, averaged 8.9 points and 4.3 boards a night last season in 22.4 minutes a night. He's under contract this season for $2.7 mil, and assuming I'm reading the HoopsHype.com salary page correctly (it's rough on the colorblind), has a player option next season for $2.9 and change.
My initial reaction: They lose some offense on the outside, obviously, since Ariza can't shoot at all. But he's extremely athletic, runs the floor well, and can finish around the rim. He's a very active forward defensively, is long, and can rebound. And at 22, Ariza still is considered a player with a lot of room to grow. (For those of you interested in this sort of thing, John Hollinger's evaluations compare him to a young Al Harrington.) This isn't going to win them a championship this season, but since Cook and Radmanovic's skills were redundant, moving Cook won't hurt. And I don't think he was all that popular among management. Mo, for all his lack of polish on that end is a more versatile offensive player, but isn't quite big enough to defend larger threes. Great guy, but since Ariza can play some D, losing Mo won't really hurt.
In a couple years, this could turn out to be an outstanding deal for L.A. Right now, my initial reaction puts it at positive, and well above the "no harm, no foul" threshold. At the very least, I can't believe it'll make 'em worse. The two for one move also opens up a roster spot, which could be used down the road, or in the near future depending on Kwame's health.
Press release below.
BK
LAKERS ACQUIRE TREVOR ARIZA FROM ORLANDO MAGIC
EL SEGUNDO – The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired 6’8’’ forward Trevor Ariza from the Orlando Magic in exchange for forward Brian Cook and guard Maurice Evans, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.
Ariza, currently in his 4th year in the NBA, averaged 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game last season with the Magic.
Ariza was originally drafted by the New York Knicks with the 43rd overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Ariza is originally from Los Angeles (Westchester High School) and played one season at UCLA prior to entering the NBA. He averaged 11.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in his one season at UCLA.
anyone is better than cook but i hope he's worth evan's defensive mind
Posted by: lalaland | November 20, 2007 at 02:51 PM
I wonder why the Lakers felt the need to include Mo Evans in the deal. Cookie for Ariza was probably enough.
It does open up a spot for another player.
Chris Webber, anyone?
Just kidding.
I hope.
Posted by: akr_68 | November 20, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Whoa - I guess that means Cook isn't starting tonight. I really like Ariza's game but I wonder about the team getting even thinner at PF. That also reduces the number on the roster to 14 and would allow the Lakers to pick up another body in free agency (if there were so inclined). Hasn't Ariza played some shooting guard? Maybe he's being brought in to give Kobe a stronger defensive reliever. Questions, questions...
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 20, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Glad Cookie is gone for good... I can see why Magic asked for Mo as well... Cookie was for salary matching purposes I guess...
Lakers have gotten rid of the cancer ( Cook)
Posted by: Gino | November 20, 2007 at 02:55 PM
Um. Why?
Posted by: The D | November 20, 2007 at 02:56 PM
why is evans included on the trade?
i know he hasn't shown a thing yet this season! but he is a great role player!
sad to see him go!!
but i guess the Lakers is pretty excited on javaris!!
im pretty sure Javaris will take Kobe spot off the bench!!!
anyway... The Cook era is over at the laker land! that's the only good news about it!
Posted by: Jan | November 20, 2007 at 02:56 PM
I think we're all glad Brian Cook is gone but Mo Evans brought some great energy off the bench. He was in sync as part of the Bench Mob.
I'm wondering if PJ will slip Ariza into Mo Evans' spot or give that time instead to J Crittenton? We'll see.
Posted by: Laker Seth | November 20, 2007 at 02:56 PM
ok its nice that cooks gone... but this guy is not really a big forward, so there better be a good reason that we got rid of mo evans and his good defense (maybe so luke can get minutes at 2)
Posted by: Troy | November 20, 2007 at 02:58 PM
This doesn't feel like a standalone move. Is there more coming?
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 20, 2007 at 02:59 PM
That opens a spot for The Critter!!!!!
Posted by: BD | November 20, 2007 at 02:59 PM
Now all the Lakers need to do is get rid of Kwame!!!
Posted by: BD | November 20, 2007 at 03:01 PM
Smart move by the Magic...who second in leading the east I think.
Cookie will give DHoward someone to throw the ball to. He couldn't do it legitimately do it with us, but he can with a legit presence inside like Dhoward.
Hate to see Mo go though. Thanks for the memories Mo.
Posted by: Faith | November 20, 2007 at 03:02 PM
Kobe and Mo Evans are pretty good friends right?
i just thought they were coz Kobe always teach Mo some of his moves!
is Kobe going to be happy with this trade?
Posted by: Jan | November 20, 2007 at 03:03 PM
Wow this came out of nowhere. I'm sad to see Mo Evans go, but glad to see Cook leave. lol.
A young Al Harrington ain't half bad.
Posted by: Xodus | November 20, 2007 at 03:08 PM
No Cook. That's step 1.
Step 2 is ensuring the rise to startdom of Javaris Crittendon.
I say this because I am waiting for the day when his licensed "Java Critters" become trademarks for a successful upstart coffee chain that will usurp Starbucks and make one H. Schulz sorry he ever F'ed with the Pacific Division.
Posted by: The D | November 20, 2007 at 03:08 PM
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH MY GOD
THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANK GOD COOK IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Posted by: rayray | November 20, 2007 at 03:11 PM
This also creates a roster spot for us to pick up a guy like P.J. Brown, who we could maybe lure out of retirement. I doubt they' do that, but it creates the opportunity.
Posted by: Xodus | November 20, 2007 at 03:12 PM
Scoring is not a problem on this team. Cookie I could care less about. So any offensive losses I'm fine with. I really liked Mo, but I agree with BK. He's a big 3, and that means we can play Vlad more at the 4. HE's he's as good defensively as I've been reading about (above average defender) then it's not a bad trade for us at all. That, and we open up a roster spot. always good for posibilities. Who knows, maybe we bring Marc Gasoul in. (I have no idea, I just pulled the first name out of my butt)
Posted by: Jeff | November 20, 2007 at 03:12 PM
Wow...a 2-for-1 shocker. I can see the reasoning behind Cook (due to the logjam and minutes) but Mo was a good reliever on both SG and SF. Wish it would have been Sasha instead of Mo.
Will he fly down and play tonight in Indy???
Looks like we can see time for JC now... GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: KiKosDad | November 20, 2007 at 03:13 PM
Double post-
Another Bruin, as well. Ought to make Jordan happy :)
Posted by: Jeff | November 20, 2007 at 03:14 PM
WOW
Good to see FO making some "polishing" touches.
Don't recall ever seeing the guy play, but from your description, he sounds like an AK47-light. You can never have too many defensive hustle guys on a team.
>>>extremely athletic, runs the floor well, and can finish around the rim. He's a very active forward defensively, is long, and can rebound.
That's good stuff!
Posted by: HAB | November 20, 2007 at 03:15 PM
We had to move Cook. We needed a different type of help at Forward spot. What's interesting here is the roster spot that opens up.
It was a good trade. We save a few million on B. Cooks contract next year.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 20, 2007 at 03:15 PM
Very mixed feelings here.
I'm glad we got rid of Cook but I also hate seeing Mo Evans leave.
Mo always was a spark off the bench offensively and defensively.
GOOD LUCK MO !!!!
You guys think that Ariza could be part of another deal being cooked right now?
Posted by: Outsidergua | November 20, 2007 at 03:15 PM
The D.
You win comment of the day today. I howled at the Schulz reference :)
Posted by: Jeff | November 20, 2007 at 03:15 PM
More reason for the saying...
You have to give up something, to get something back.
And Cook is not enough "something" lol.
Posted by: Faith | November 20, 2007 at 03:16 PM
We saved 500,00 for next year. I have a feeling this is going to lead to another move. The Lakers know they need some frontline help on the defensive side of the game.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 20, 2007 at 03:17 PM
It's a bittersweet trade for me, in that I'm ecstatic about finally getting rid of Brian Cook but am very sad to lose Mo Evans. I've loved his energy and solid defensive presence. I like Trevor Ariza a lot when he played at UCLA and felt he made a huge mistake coming out after 1 season; I'm sure he wished he could take it back after falling deep in the 2nd round to the Knicks. While he won't be a starter, he does have a chance to showcase his skills with the Lakers. He didn't seem to fit with Orlando, so this is a good chance to get him back into a groove. Overall, I'm still very happy.
As for the Brian Cook era, I remember seeing a couple of Illinois games, thinking a lot of the guy, and I was really glad to see the Lakers get him. Unfortunately, I don't know what happened to that guy from IL. I felt that he and Smush represented the low basketball IQ segment of the team, and his constant mistakes, complete lack of defense, tentative shooting habits and whining to the refs seemed to be way more trouble than his sporadic offensive outbursts were worth. I'll miss those amazing quick release three-pointers, but that's about it. I was looking at the last few NBA drafts last night on basketball-reference.com, and I still can't believe he went before Leandro Barbosa. What could have been, eh?
Anyway, I'm not going to live in the past - welcome to the Ariza Era in the Land O'Lake(r)s!
Posted by: Tully Moxness | November 20, 2007 at 03:17 PM
For those of you wondering.
Cook could not be traded on its own. He had to be coupled with another player because of his contract.
AK/BK
You guys mind detailing the deal for us.
Posted by: Outsidergua | November 20, 2007 at 03:20 PM
Yeah, what RayRay said!
Posted by: Tully Moxness | November 20, 2007 at 03:20 PM
We just sent 5 million dollars for 2.7 million and created a roster spot.
Look for more defensive frontline help to come. That roster spot is the key. The Lakers might buy out Marc Gasol's European team to bring him in earlier than anticipated.
Good move by the F.O. They're getting active.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 20, 2007 at 03:20 PM
DUDE AWESOME TRADE!!!
Yeah so thank you Cook is gone..not really a PF anyways, and finally the Lakers realized that they are paying players at redundant positions.
I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR PEOPLE SAY THAT COOK LEAVES US WITH LESS BIG MEN BLAH BLAH..YOU ALL DONT LIKE HIM SO DONT COMPLAIN WHEN JIMBO ACTUALLY TRADES AWAY HIS MISTAKE. DAMN YOU HYPOCRITICAL PEOPLE.
anyways..that being off my chest, awesome move. Ariza is much longer than Mo Evans and I think has a better upside....think a Sefolosha without the shot...by the way YOU TUBE Ariza and you'll find some sick dunks..
Hopefully you guys should remember Ariza on UCLA so you get a sense of what sort of player he is. I think this is a major upgrade because Ariza is a versatile player just as Mo Evans with more athletic/slashing ability. Losing Evans' leadership is rough, but if it took him to get rid of Cook than so be it. Its not like Mo Evans is leaving to a bad situation. He's going to the best team in the East!!! He might even start right away alongside Jameer Nelson, since he is better than JJ redick..and Keith Bogans is not as good version as Evans.
BTW I forgot which blogger it was (JJ, weaveman?) that we compared Cook and Garrity...well now they are teammates! haha.
Wonder if Farmar and Ariza are buds since both are UCLA products and practice down here in LA.
PG Fisher/Farmar
SG Kobe/Ariza
SF Odom/Walton
PF Turiaf/Vlad
C Mihm/Bynum/Kwame
The only thing I worry about is messing with the Bench Mob's chemisty...however I can see J Crit getting those Mo Evans minutes while Ariza is worked into the system.
Posted by: The Lake Show | November 20, 2007 at 03:22 PM
So glad Brian Cook is gone.
Trevor Ariza is so much better as an athlete.
Yes Cookie could shoot and hit the jumper but you have to set him up to get it off.
He does not rebound and adds nothing to his game in the SUMMER.
Good trade off.
Now Mo Evans is surely nice to have around and I think Ariza has his work cut out to do what Mo does and more. He has a chance to do that though.
Vlad Rad is the same as Cookie but more is invested so he needs to do Cookie's job.
Not a bad move by Kupchak. It was low risk and has a chance for reward but minimal loss is possible.
Cook's contract leaving is good too.
Posted by: LakerBake | November 20, 2007 at 03:22 PM
Good Trade...but according to ESPN trade machine the Magic are over the salary cap with this trase. anyway, we can nowlook for a veteran for the 15th spot..SIGN PJ BROWN OR CHRIS WEBBER..
Posted by: Botsoy | November 20, 2007 at 03:23 PM
And it was actually a good trade for Orlando, too.
It's a different structure over there. Brian Cook could do well over there and Mo Evans is going to help no matter what.
Orlando just strengthed their bench without messing with their starting line-up.
Lakers are wheeling and dealing...something else is coming! No way you can only have a 14 man roster with Coby Karl being the 14th man.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 20, 2007 at 03:25 PM
as much as i like Ariza for cook i hope that our bench will still put up big numbers and outplay others' bench despite the lack of mo evan's defense and chemistry with the bench.
Posted by: lalaland | November 20, 2007 at 03:29 PM
A nice low-risk, high-reward type trade for the Lakers. While Ariza's defensive metrics indicate he's not as good as someone that athletically gifted should be, he's only 22 and Phil should be able to ingrain some better technique on D. Ariza is a MONSTER athletically (go check out YouTube and find highlights of him dunking over Ben Wallace, over Emeka Okafor and over Alonzo Mourning). He'll be a great finisher as part of the second unit with Farmar pushing the ball. Mo Evans was gonna become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year anyhow, so I think it's a nice gamble to make. Getting rid of the duplication of skills that existed with Radmanovic/Cook is a good thing--Rad's played much better and Cook is a PF for designation purposes only. Not sure about that open roster spot as Phil's pretty much mixed and matched 12 man game rosters based on the opposition's strengths (more guards with Phoenix, more bigs with Houston/San Antonio).
Posted by: Samuel | November 20, 2007 at 03:30 PM
AK/BK
Whats the word on the starting lineup tonight? If Cook is not the starting PF...any indications what the line-up will be? Is Ronny healthy? Or will he go with Lamar? The Lakes will be somewhat short handed since both Mo and Cook play significant minutes lately. As of right now we have Mihm, Bynum for Center, and Odom and Vlad for PF...Luke and Kobe for SF? and J.Crit Kobe Sasha for SG? Not sure how we are going to match up against JO, Danny and Dunleavy..
Also Yi and Villaneuva present match up issues with us as well..
just thought.
Posted by: The Lake Show | November 20, 2007 at 03:31 PM
Trevor is a better defender, rebounder finisher, as well as more athletic than Mo... His much more bigger wich allows us at times move Fish to the bench or even have Trevor in with the starting unit at either 2 or 3.... But I can get use to a line-up of
Kobe/Farmar
Trevor/Fisher
Lamar/Luke
Turiaf/Vrad
Kwame/Bynum Mimm
This is a killer of a line up, specially defensively
Posted by: GIno | November 20, 2007 at 03:31 PM
Lake Show-
Has there been definitive word yet that Ronny won't play? That obviously would solve some of the problem... But no doubt they'll be a little shorthanded tonight.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 20, 2007 at 03:33 PM
Now i know, Mo Evans was brought to the Lakers to acquire Kevin Garnett because they are cousins. But it did not materialize, so they let Mo Evans go.
Posted by: Botsoy | November 20, 2007 at 03:33 PM
i saw two laker games live last year... and both times i waited at the lower level during pre-game and yelled at players to get their attention. mo evans was one of two players who smiled and waved at me both times.
nice guy.
that's my mo evans story. sad to see him go. i wish him good luck in the future.
cook, poor chap, never improved from his rookie season. it was long past time for him to go
i also think kwame and sasha are living on borrowed time as well.
Posted by: CBuck | November 20, 2007 at 03:34 PM
Evans was overrated defensively; he never gave the Lakers what they hoped for in that respect, so they aren't really losing anything, other than some understanding of the triangle.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 20, 2007 at 03:35 PM
BK,
I just read your post that introduced this thread. That was an excellent breakdown.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 20, 2007 at 03:35 PM
Ariza and Farmar will make an explosive run and gun backcourt for the second unit. Ariza will increase team speed and athleticism, and is a very good finisher. I can picture Ariza starting against certain teams for defensive matchups. Although the trade is not a huge improvement, it is an improvement nonetheless. Considering Jimbo's past trades, even a slight improvement feels like I just won the freakin' lotto. Ariza will also hopefully cut into The Big Liability's (aka Luke's) minutes as well.
Go Bruins!!!
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | November 20, 2007 at 03:36 PM
Is this a move to make a push for Kidd?? Marion???
There is definitely more goings on here!!!
I am glad Cook is gone and the Lakers learned what the Pistons knew about Mo, that he is replaceable.
Posted by: MJCMAN32 | November 20, 2007 at 03:42 PM
i think im in heaven... two local products playing for the lake show.
Posted by: pantastik | November 20, 2007 at 03:43 PM
good trade! had to give up mo evans (eventhough he was a productive player for us) but with both ariza and mo there wasn't going to be pt for both!
Posted by: GT | November 20, 2007 at 03:43 PM
Wow! This is awesome. I was beginning to doubt we'd ever be able to unload Brian Cook. Worth letting him start those two games that Ronny was out so everyone could see him (not that I believe there was anything to see).
I'm surprised about all the favorable comments towards Mo Evans. He was never really dependable from night to night, and has been of limited value to the Lakers so far this season with his bad back. I've thought from the get-go that Javaris would be a better shooting guard, though it is likely he will have to share some of those minutes with Sasha.
Ariza's UCLA cred, his reputation for D, and ability to finish around the rim are all positives for the Lakers. I think his style will be a plus for the Bench Mob, whereas Mo Evans really hasn't contributed much to either the offense or defense.
It's encouraging to see that Kupkake can actually get something done on the trading front. Also on the plus side is getting the roster down to 14 players. Looking forward to seeing J-Crit and Coby2 actually getting some minutes.
There are only upsides to this move. The team will benefit from a more balanced roster, and have a chance to get even better in the weeks ahead.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | November 20, 2007 at 03:45 PM
I like how we're rebuilding a UCLA graduate squad (Farmar and Ariza). The Lakers have had good luck when it comes to picking up "locally" (Kareem Abdul Jabbar or the artist formerly known as Lew Alcindor). Anyhow, sort of sad to see Mo leave. He was solid. Hops. He was strong and so played pretty strong D. Spark off the bench. Am a bit sad to see Cookie go but now that Rad is actually earning his paycheck it'll be 'ah-ight. Rebuild, rebuild Lakers. Do watcha gotta do to keep The Man (aka Kobe) happy and here! Happy & Here. I'm going to start that as a new slogan. Keep Kobe Happy & Here. Double K double H. Double K and Double H. Got a nice ring to it. I learned a while ago that even Magic Johnson asked to be traded once from my precious Lakers. So, I guess I'm not so sore at Kobe anymore. Still, it's on the TEAM (ahem...Dr. Buss...and not his son or mother twice removed) to keep Kobe happy and here! Happy and HERE! Not elsewhere. Damnit I want to attend a parade!
Posted by: Seph | November 20, 2007 at 03:46 PM
If we are all about "team" and about the culture of the team, then this trade was a HUGE plus.
None of us are pleased that Mo had to be part of the deal. It's sad that Cookie was so lousy and had that horrible contract that we had to package him. Orlando is looking at the bread... folks, we need to remember what was sandwhiched in that bread. Let's just say it rhymes with "hit".
Now, Ariza has some athletic talent. He's young, which may not make Kobe happy, but I could guess that Mitch knows KB couldn't have been happy starting along side of Cookie these past two games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9UlwNqG3AU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p6MpMn47mE
I hope coming back home to LA works out for him. Trevor, work your tail off and the home town fans will love you.
Meanwhile, this gives Critter a chance to get some PT and hopefully make some progress.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | November 20, 2007 at 03:48 PM