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.
I've been one of Jimbo's biggest critics, but this idiot might actually be learning from his many past mistakes. A wise man once said, Even a monkey will stop grabbing the scorpion if he gets stung enough times.
When last season ended, the team had three huge defensive liabilities on the roster.
-Smush was let go.
-Cook has now been traded.
-Two down, one more to go.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | November 20, 2007 at 03:50 PM
MT-
Thanks.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 20, 2007 at 03:50 PM
Kwame Brown is not living on borrowed time. Without Kwame the Lakers' defensive is living on borrowed time. Why do you think they made this trade?
DEFENSIVE HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 20, 2007 at 03:51 PM
The only problem with this trade is that with both Smush and Cook gone, we have no one to hate on.
LOL
Posted by: Xodus | November 20, 2007 at 03:51 PM
Not sure how I feel about this as I know very little about Trevor's game. Now let's get rid of Kwame!!
Posted by: fkillah | November 20, 2007 at 03:51 PM
So BK, ,who starts tonight? Do they let Cook/Evans play as if nothing has happened, until they actually fly off to Orlando?
Posted by: guity | November 20, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Guity-
They're not on the team anymore. They can't play. My guess is that Ronny will play (I think he'll be healthy) with Mihm. If not, Vlad will likely start there, with Mihm.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 20, 2007 at 03:55 PM
Mike T. wasup bro???
Been awhile..Anyway I like this trade for us it gives Lamar Odom a Big relief from guarding those fast Small forwards and we all know Luke has problems guarding them. My brother grew up in Los Angeles playing with Trevor Ariza and he is alot better than you guys think. And he always give 110%. issue is he has problems staying healthy.
BTW.- Xodus, Faith, Edwin, bob, Wow, Korey??? wherever u are lol. Sup ya'll
Posted by: Paul Lee | November 20, 2007 at 03:55 PM
2 former ucla bruins in lakers uniform: farmar and ariza. bench mob rules!!!!!
Posted by: xtro | November 20, 2007 at 03:56 PM
I don't understand some of these comments. i'm sure you're all sad to see Mo gone, but seriously, he didn't really do much. Sometimes you'd forget he was even on the floor. I'd rather another defensive forward, then a uard who typically has no difference in the game. I think he has been somewhat of a disappointment. What we get is a forward who will be able to defend and rebound.
Posted by: wondahbap | November 20, 2007 at 03:56 PM
Mike T.,
Kwame can only play a guy straight up. That's great and all, but his D isnlt as great as you would like to think. He has no clue how to help, or defend the pick and roll. He's a reason why we get roasted by good and quick point guards. Nash just toys with him.
Posted by: wondahbap | November 20, 2007 at 03:59 PM
Bringing Areza into the fold is a forward thinking move for sure.
As much as it must pain you, you know that I've known it all along. Being one of only a handful of contributors here (over the last couple of years) who has refrained from bashing individual Laker players (apart from Smush and the Saint) and who never elevated the man-child at their expense, allow me to extend hearty congrats on your exciting young squad which is developing cohesion and moving forward at a nice pace. Just imagine. You have all of this in spite of the Mamba malignancy, which seems to be in some type of remission for the moment. Did you hire a snake charmer or something?
I draw a comparison to contracting the Black Mamba with the dreaded venereal disease Ling Lang; endemic in Southeast Asia during the Viet Nam War era. It will eventually kill you, unless of course the affected part just rots and falls off on its own, which is sometimes does. Please do allow this withering on the vine to continue. Bynum, Farmar and the boys are doing it, tempered only by the fact that you started out gang-busters last season before the fizzle.
Don't allow Kobe to impede the destiny of your squad.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | November 20, 2007 at 03:59 PM
"Ariza hadn't yet joined the Lakers, and Cook and Evans weren't with the team, leaving Los Angeles short-handed for Tuesday's game."
This is from Yahoo. i imagine that means that the Lakers left for Indiana without Cook and Evans.
Posted by: darock | November 20, 2007 at 04:00 PM
someone please post the Insider article on Ariza for those of us without access.
thanks,
db
Posted by: dustin b | November 20, 2007 at 04:00 PM
Xodus,
"The only problem with this trade is that with both Smush and Cook gone, we have no one to hate on. "
There was Kwame, but I feel bad picking on a cripple.
I think we've all been letting Frank Hamblen slide lately....LET'S GET HIM!!!
Also, I always confused Matt Barnes and Trevor Ariza. Kind of the same guy. I like this trade a lot actually. Roster spot opens, money is saved, and we still needed to get more athletic. I think Laker fans will like Ariza. He was drafted by Isaiah, that has to count for something (as opposed to being signed as a free agent or traded for by Isaiah, which basically means you are overweight and have a huge contract).
Posted by: Andrew Z | November 20, 2007 at 04:01 PM
Poor Cook was always a conflicted person. On one hand he was very tall and solid and developed a great shot, so he got categorized as a basketball player. On the other hand his brain was slow as molasses and really couldn't keep up with the constant necessity for immediate decision-making on a basketball court. It wasn't like he was physically incapable of any particular action -- he just always required more time to suss things out than the game of basketball allows. He would have done just fine as a tight end or defensive lineman, where he could have planned out all of his moves inbetween each play...
Posted by: guity | November 20, 2007 at 04:03 PM
"Orlando sends Trevor Ariza to the Lakers in three-player deal; Also waives Bo Outlaw
November 20, 2007
Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic have acquired forward Brian Cook and guard Maurice Evans from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for forward Trevor Ariza, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. In addition, the Magic have waived forward Bo Outlaw.
“Brian (Cook) helps bolster our frontcourt,” said Smith. “He is a power forward who shoots the ball extremely well, while also bringing added toughness to our roster. Maurice (Evans) is a tremendous athlete, a solid defender and capable of playing multiple positions. Both Brian and Maurice fit in very well with what we are trying to accomplish.”---
Well this is my take, Orlando having huge success with Rashard Lewis and Hedo T, as forwards who can shoot 3's, opens up a lot of space for Dwight Howard down low. Trevor Ariza is not a shooter. Orlando's starers has Rashard at PF and Hedo at SF, Cook gives them the option off the bench to play PF and Rashard can slide to SF. It's the 3 point shooting they want from Cookie obviusly. MO Evans is a duplicate of Keith Bogans at SG.
Trevor Ariza is an excellent trade to solidify our dfense in the perimeter. He can play SF and SG for the Lakers. Noting that Odom is injury prone, Traviza is an insurance at 3, and can see action behind Kobe. It is also obvious that Radmanovic will be seeing a lot of action at PF coming off the bench, which is excellent playing alongside Bynum and Farmar to keep the paint unclogged.
Nice trade for both teams.
Posted by: Staples 24 | November 20, 2007 at 04:04 PM
By the way, this also opens up a spot for karl or javaris at 2 spot. Though Sasha will be the first off the bench.
Posted by: Staples 24 | November 20, 2007 at 04:06 PM
lol Xodus.
Hey Paul Lee!
Posted by: Faith | November 20, 2007 at 04:06 PM
is ariza gonna play tonight?
Posted by: kobes lakers | November 20, 2007 at 04:07 PM
Andrew Z,
I like Ariza from the little I've seen of him. Although from what I've heard he's not much of a shooter. He seems to be more athetic and longer than Matt Barnes tho. And Barnes has a better stroke, no?
Posted by: Xodus | November 20, 2007 at 04:12 PM
What's up Paul Lee!
Posted by: Xodus | November 20, 2007 at 04:13 PM
Orlando's GM said Brian Cook will "bring added toughness to our roster."
If the Magic are relying on Cook to bring them toughness, they are in deep trouble.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | November 20, 2007 at 04:16 PM
New member of the "Bench Mob"!
There will definitely be more highlights with the addition of Ariza.
Posted by: Amazing_Happen | November 20, 2007 at 04:18 PM
I love how Andrew Bynum wants to claim every rebound for his own.
Posted by: Xodus | November 20, 2007 at 04:18 PM
No Kwame for 2 months and no Cook forever and no Smush forever! What's going on! We are getting all the lucks all of a sudden! Kobe's summer rant making a huge difference! Love it!
and the 15th man is ...... one more early christmas present coming from the Laker's Jim Buss and Mitch?
Posted by: Staples 24 | November 20, 2007 at 04:19 PM
Lakers making little tiny smoooooooooooth moves. Loving it!
Posted by: Staples 24 | November 20, 2007 at 04:20 PM
The Lake Show,
>>>Ariza is much longer than Mo Evans and I think has a better upside....think a Sefolosha without the shot..
Ariza shoots better than Sefolosha, actually. But neither of them is great.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 20, 2007 at 04:21 PM
Orlando's GM said Brian Cook will "bring added toughness to our roster."
Well, you know....
Brian is one tough Cookie.
Posted by: akr_68 | November 20, 2007 at 04:26 PM
I don't know about this.
Trevor's a West Coast child, so I like that part. I just don't know if he offers individually as complete a package as Cook and Evans together.
Evan and Cook were also working better in the system. Now Ariza's got to learn it from scratch, which means he won't contribute for months. I don't know how wise this trade was to make now.
I really liked Evans's energy and I'm sad to see him go.
We'll see.
Anyhow, Trevor, welcome to the Purple and Gold.
I'll have to do a Bio-Chrono read on you.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | November 20, 2007 at 04:28 PM
I don't know why there was so much negative feelings about Cookie Monster. Yes, with Rad Vlad, he was someone redundant, and his defense wasn't the greatest, but it wasn't like he was Smush Parker or anything like that.
Weird.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | November 20, 2007 at 04:30 PM
I think Phil Jackson had something to do with this trade.
Posted by: zen | November 20, 2007 at 04:31 PM
Hey. sorry to delete a couple posts, but if you have comments about the game, throw them in the game thread. We don't want to put spoilers in for those planning on watching the game on the magic picture box.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 20, 2007 at 04:31 PM
Didn't the FO say that Phil has complete control over personell discisions right now?
Posted by: zen | November 20, 2007 at 04:32 PM
I remember Ariza from last season and I believe he played well when we saw him. I am really wondering when he shows up. Obviously Cook and Mo were not along for yesterdays ride so I wonder when Ariza with show up Will he suit up this week or next?
I will miss the Mo-mentum from the bench, but Ariza may work well into the system. I hope so. It seems like forever since the FO made a trade during the year. Maybe they heard us screaming at them. Lets hope this one works out for the best.
T-Woody
24/7
Posted by: TWoody | November 20, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Turiaf must have started today
Posted by: zen | November 20, 2007 at 04:37 PM
We got rid of Kook!!! Now he's gonna start nailing clutch jumpers from deep while the Magic stomp the east.
Probably a good thing we got rid of Evans too. That guy's done once his pogo stick wears out.
Lake Show Y'all.
Posted by: HeWhoHoops | November 20, 2007 at 04:38 PM
What I like most about this trade:
1. We unloaded Cook.
2. We saved a few bucks.
3. We opened up a roster spot.
4. We got rid of Cook.
Things I dont like:
1. We got rid of Mo.
T-Woody
24/7
Posted by: TWoody | November 20, 2007 at 04:40 PM
Didn't the FO say that Phil has complete control over personell discisions right now?
Posted by: zen | November 20, 2007 at 04:43 PM
Today is a no defense night. Getting up dates on my phone. Game is underway in Indy and we are up 2 at the end of 1. 37-35. Like I said, NO D TONIGHT!
T-Woody
24/7
Posted by: TWoody | November 20, 2007 at 04:46 PM
1 thing for sure the perimeter defense just got a lot better. This is a great trade. Kwame your next.
Posted by: BD | November 20, 2007 at 04:46 PM
lakers getting killed on the boards.
Posted by: 33StraightWins | November 20, 2007 at 04:48 PM
I say they package Walton and Ariza for Artest. (December 15)
And elbow George Karl and say hey, we’ll give Coby more minutes. Here’s Kwame in Feb 2008 give us Camby. You’ll get cap relief.
Starters : Fisher, Kobe, Odom, Turiaf, Camby
The Mob: Farmar, JC, Artest, Radman, Bynum
Fillers: Mihm, Coby & Sasha
Killing it for the 07-08!!!!!!!
Now I lay the pipe!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Charles | November 20, 2007 at 04:51 PM
Thanks for the memories Cookie and Mo. Welcome Trevor to the Showtime II Lakers.
Trivia question: Does anyone remember how many times Cookie lost his shoes during the game?
Posted by: Laker Phil | November 20, 2007 at 04:58 PM
Loved the trade - I've been calling for defensive help at the perimeter for a while now. Ariza, Outlaw (Portland) are inexpensive options that allow us to stick someone other than Kobe on the opposition's best player. He was doing well on the Knicks before getting traded to Orlando. I'm concerned about how much we'll get to see of him behind Odom, Walton and Radman - unless Odom slides over to PF.
Posted by: hariyahu | November 20, 2007 at 05:01 PM
"It's for the best," Ariza told the Sentinel. "I just wanted to play, and I wasn't getting to do that here. We were winning and I couldn't really argue with that. But me being a competitor I wanted to play.
"I hope I get a chance in L.A. -- that's all I can ask for."
Ariza, who played briefly at UCLA, said "I'm excited. I'm going home."
Ariza said he had a "feeling" he might he dealt. "It's a business. Everybody knows that."
Posted by: BD | November 20, 2007 at 05:01 PM
gonna miss Mo, he was cool. but if Ariza is also defensive minded but taller with more potential, than cool. And he's an LA guy!
:::Celebrate Good Times Cook's Gone!!!:::
Posted by: ajax | November 20, 2007 at 05:06 PM
>>>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.
Well... one possibility (and one I don't like to consider, but is at least a possibility) is that Kobe really is going to Chicago.
It's possible that the Bulls and Lakers worked out the details of a deal to send Kobe to Chicago, but that it involves one
or more players that can't be traded until after December 15. If the Lakers have 2 power forwards and a shooting guard
coming back from the Bulls, then they might want to get rid of a PF who isn't producing for them.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 20, 2007 at 05:08 PM
Now that we have an open roster spot we should really think about taking a hard look at Dale Davis (who's still available). The guy's always been a tough player and he's got plenty of playoff experience. With Kwame injured and Cook gone, we could really use another big, even if it's just for insurance.
Dave M
Posted by: Dave M | November 20, 2007 at 05:13 PM
As for us, well, nobody, I mean nobody is even looking at the Sacramento Kings right now, and even fewer expect them to make noise anytime soon. I view this as a good thing, although flying under the radar may be short lived.
We started the season worse than bad, but are now 4 and 1 at home. Like your team, we have talent. At the two and three spot, we have two of the best at their respective positions. Ironically, Ron is an even better four and will be seeing time in that role. Beano's arrival (steal of the year?) initially did little more than keep us from stinking up the joint. Now, he is integral as a facilitator and scorer. We badly needed that true point guard. Multipositional Salmons is more than solid all the way around. Mikki Moore seems to be finding his niche, Brad has come to play this year, and 19 year old Spencer Hawes is aggressive, has great skills, and is catching on quickly. Garcia continues to improve, as does Douby. Bibby, who had a great start to the season may be playing for someone else by late season.
With us, as with you, it is only a matter of chemistry, cohesiveness, and effort to define success. Theus is a tough SOB who has skirmished with everyone except (and ironically) Ron Artest, who has become a model player. Reggie is the coach and is going to have it his way, period. Things are coming around. I like what I'm seeing.
The only question remaining is who among you will root for the Kings of basketball, your wonderful and exciting neighbors to the north, when they eliminate your Lakers from playoff contention at the end of the season. Although I'll soon be relocating to the Big Island, I'll be there to see it.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | November 20, 2007 at 05:15 PM