Los Angeles Lakers: 5 reasons trading for Trevor Ariza is a smart move

The Los Angeles Lakers are right in the middle of the Trevor Ariza trade rumors. Here are five reasons it would be smart to acquire the veteran forward.

The Los Angeles Lakers are playing some great basketball right now. They have run their record to 17-10 on the season, winning two in a row and six of their last seven games. Things are finally coming together on the court, yet the Lakers are right in the middle of some trade rumors.

The most recent Lakers rumors involve forward, Trevor Ariza. The Lakers have already reaped the benefits of a roster decision involving the Phoenix Suns, as they agreed to a buyout with Tyson Chandler earlier in the season. The results since Chandler joined the Lakers have been magnificent; could they strike twice with Ariza?

Unlike Chandler, who signed with the team after being bought out, Ariza would have to be acquired via trade. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN first broke the news about trade talks involving Ariza, with the Lakers right in the middle of them.

As Wojnarowski notes, Los Angeles was trying to land Ariza in a three-team deal. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the main piece leaving the Lakers, but Phoenix has no interest in acquiring him, meaning a third team was needed.

For the Lakers, this would be an intriguing move. The only potential hiccup in a deal like this could be the asking price. Phoenix is looking for a playmaking guard and draft assets, which is a steep price for what can essentially be a rental for a few months.

Ariza signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Suns this past summer in free agency. It was a move that shocked plenty of people, and to the surprise of few, has not worked out as Phoenix intended. Phoenix is 4-23 on the season. That is not a typo. The Lakers have as many wins in a nine-day span in December as the Suns have all season.

As a result, they are now looking to cash in and trade him for future assets instead of buying him out later on. The Lakers are not going to meet the Suns’ asking price, which is why they are looking for a third team.

Second round picks are all the Lakers should be offering as trade capital. Maybe a third team can fulfill the playmaking guard the Suns are looking for.

The price will be what is key to watch for here. If it isn’t an absurd price, the Lakers should pull the trigger. These are five reasons why Ariza would be a good trade acquisition for the Lakers.