Don't Be Fooled! Ariza Is Playing Hard Ball

Trevor Ariza isn't going to the Cavaliers. Unless it turns out that he is one petty individual.

It's been reported that Trevor Ariza feels disrespected at the Lakers first offer of $5.5 million over an unspecified number of years. In fact, sources close to Ariza say that he is so distraught over the offer, that he could very well sign with another team, but still only offer him the same amount of money.

Hmmm, that doesn't sound like Ariza to me. That sounds a lot like his agent David Lee (no, not the overrated player for the Knicks).

"All we're looking for is little appreciation for what Trevor has done," Lee told the LA Times. "I don't think they believe Trevor is serious about leaving, and that's too bad. I didn't think we'd be in this situation. I am disappointed and surprised by what I thought would be some feelings for the people who have given you everything they've got."

Ariza's agent went on to tell the Press-Enterprise:

"I had a long conversation with Mitch, and I don't think it's going anywhere," agent David Lee said. "I think I'm being optimistic when I say it's not going anywhere."

I take all these quotes with a grain of salt. This is what agents do. They use the media as an outlet to gain leverage for their client. This is a practice as old as the game itself.

It doesn't matter what Cleveland Cavaliers lackey Chris Broussard has to say on ESPN. He has everybody going to the Cavs, but there are two reasons this is not going to happen:

1. Why would Ariza go to the Cavs if they can't offer more money than the Lakers?
2. Their two best players are going to be free agents next year, and let's face it Shaq has a zero percent chance of coming back when the Cavs could lure Chris Bosh to Cleveland next year.

I don't see him going to Portland because even though they have enough money to throw at him, they already have a gluttony of forwards. They start Nicolas Batum and Travis Outlaw (the better player) actually comes off the bench.

The only place that can give him the contract that he covets is Toronto. The Raptors are losing Shawn Marion and Anthony Parker. This would be the perfect destination for him, while their draft pick former USC legend DeMar DeRozan comes off the bench.

Finally the Press-Enterprise cites Lakers sources that say that the team is willing to match offers that Ariza receives, but they aren't going to overpay just because he plays for them.

The Lakers are playing hard ball with Ariza, just like the Dodgers did with Manny Ramirez. At the end of the day I see Ariza signing with the purple and gold, unless Toronto gives him an offer he just can't refuse.