Los Angeles Lakers: 5 role players to consider trading for

1. Trevor Ariza

If we’re bringing back Ellington, we’ll then we have to bring back Ariza. Trevor Ariza already won a championship with the Lakers in 2009.

Since then he’s spent time in Houston, New Orleans, and Washington, with his last four seasons being spent in Houston. This offseason he signed a one-year $15 million deal with the Phoenix Suns. We can’t imagine that he had too many offers in that price range. There’s a reason he left a 60+ win team, for a bottom dweller team who’s two most touted players can’t even get a legal drink.

We’re taking a flyer on Ariza not finishing his season with the Suns. Ariza hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2010. He’s played in multiple NBA Finals, and he is a tough player. Something tells us he won’t be thrilled about 50+ losses while playing 4th, 5th, fiddle to guys more than ten years younger than him.

With players requesting trades being commonplace in the NBA nowadays, don’t be surprised if Ariza asks for one. However, due to the size of his deal, many heavy hitters won’t be able to absorb his contract.

The Lakers will. It’s only a one year deal so it preserves cap space for next season. If the Suns are at the bottom of the standings again, moving Ariza to the Lakers is a no-brainer. Unless the Suns throw another $15 million deal at him, he’s not coming back next year. Get that contract off your books and get back something or someone who fits the rebuilding timeline better.

Ariza would provide some much-needed shooting, and even more, needed defense. Aside from the blunder in Game 7, Ariza played well in the playoffs and can interchange on the Warriors death line up.

He’d be another championship veteran for LeBron to work with, and who knows The King could bring out facets of his game we haven’t seen before.