The Los Angeles Lakers finally reunited with Trevor Ariza after years of speculation, bringing the 2009 champion back to the team where he first made a name for himself.
However, Laker fans are going to have to wait a bit longer until they see Ariza back in the purple and gold.
Ariza underwent surgery on his ankle that is going to keep him out for at least eight weeks. That eight-week timetable seems to be an optimistic timeline as well, as there is a decent chance that the injury holds him out longer.
This might seem horrible after last year’s team was plagued with injuries to the point that they led to the team falling short in the playoffs. The flipside of the Ariza injury is the fact that it is happening now instead of happening in May and June, which is a good thing.
However, Trevor Ariza’s ankle injury highlights an offseason mistake by the Los Angeles Lakers.
If you are a frequent reader of my work at Lake Show Life (thank you!) then you will know that I have been pounding the table for weeks about the Lakers signing another power forward. The Lakers brought in another big in DeAndre Jordan, which was fine, but what the team really needed was another four.
It was obvious to see this need by just looking at the depth chart. While the team has one of the best power forwards in the league in Anthony Davis, it literally does not have a single traditional power forward behind him on the depth chart.
While Davis is going to play a lot of minutes there are still minutes that need to be made up at the position. This is especially true considering the fact that Davis is going to play more center with Russell Westbrook now in town.
The expectation was that Carmelo Anthony and Trevor Ariza would bridge the gap. These are fine options but neither player is a true power forward and as good as Ariza is defensively he is old. Relying on those two players, at their age, to play big minutes at power forward was a risk.
It is a risk that is rearing its ugly head now that Ariza is hurt and Melo is the only true depth option at the four. Kent Bazemore certainly cannot play the four, neither can Talen Horton-Tucker.
Heck, even another wing like James Ennis would have worked as it could have slid LeBron James over to the four with Ennis playing the three. However, that ultimately did not happen, as the Lakers opted to bring in two more guards.
The team has one more roster hole to fill this void but it is not likely to use it. It is very apparent that the team is saving that 15th roster spot for an in-season buyout signing.
Maybe then the Los Angeles Lakers will bring in another power forward.