L.A. Lakers

[EvenStar]

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Afternoon update


If you missed free agent Trevor Ariza on the radio this afternoon, you didn't miss much. Ariza was interviewed by A Martinez and Steve Lavin on KSPN-710. They tossed a few softballs Ariza's way and he did his best to answer. Nothing earth-shattering.

"It's a business," Ariza said, acknowledging the negotiating process. "It's a business and I have to do what I have to do. It's exciting. I'm learning a lot as I go."

Asked if he would agree to a $50-million deal to stay with the Lakers, Ariza laughed and said, "I'd jump on that in a heartbeat."

Asked if he considered Phil Jackson to be the greatest coach in NBA history, Ariza said, "In my eyes, he'll always be the best because he's the first coach to give me a chance to play (regularly) in the NBA."

Asked about Kobe Bryant's comment that reporters shouldn't worry about Bryant's future with the Lakers but should focus instead on new deals for Ariza and Lamar Odom, which would make the team stronger, Ariza said, "It means a lot to me. I appreciate it."

[fish]

Mbenga, Powell will be back

Power forward Josh Powell and center D.J. Mbenga will remain on the Lakers' roster for the 2009-10 season after L.A. opted not to terminate their respective non-guaranteed contracts by the July 1 deadline, according to Lakers spokesman John Black. Powell and Mbenga each had a year left on their contracts, and since neither was acted upon, the 6-10 and 7-0 post players are guaranteed through the coming season.

Powell averaged 4.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 11.7 regular season minutes and 2.1 points with 1.2 boards in 5.2 postseason minutes during L.A.'s championship run. He showed his value when afforded ample playing time, highlighted by a 17-point, 9-rebound performance on March 11 at Houston when the Lakers were without Andrew Bynum (injury) and Lamar Odom (suspension).

From a story posted this afternoon by our friends at Lakers.com

mao pa tawn ni ang news sa atong team... hmmm... still waiting for odom and ariza to sign... hahay... kung dili nato ma-sign si ariza, we should exert more effort in signing ron artest.

[EvenStar]

bai Fish,thats the 2nd option signing Ron Artest if magpa presyo jud pagtaman si Trevor.about Lamar niingon naman siya sa interview nga he will accept discount as long as naay daghan candies e offer ang Lakers niya.buttom line is si Ariza jud ang delikado mawa ani if magpapresyo siyag dako.tsk! tsk! tsk!

Lakers Roster so far:

Kobe
Pau
Fish
Bynum
Mbenga
Powell
Walton
Vujacic
Farmar
Morrison

(daghan pa mausab ani via trade) so far Odom and Ariza hanap2x pa.

[fish]

bai Fish,thats the 2nd option signing Ron Artest if magpa presyo jud pagtaman si Trevor.about Lamar niingon naman siya sa interview nga he will accept discount as long as naay daghan candies e offer ang Lakers niya.buttom line is si Ariza jud ang delikado mawa ani if magpapresyo siyag dako.tsk! tsk! tsk!

Lakers Roster so far:

Kobe
Pau
Fish
Bynum
Mbenga
Powell
Walton
Vujacic
Farmar
Morrison

(daghan pa mausab ani via trade) so far Odom and Ariza hanap2x pa.

murag wala man pud team nga nagpakita gyud ug interest niya... kay he used to be a backup player biya unta... and no one wants to overpay a backup player... parehas sa gibuhat sa jazz ni kerilinko... 16million in a year. unya back up ra.... toinks.

[EvenStar]

if di gud siya mo sign sa e offer sa Lakers then Ariza can go pero sayang siya kay naa baya siya potential ma star player.if gamayan siya sa e offer sa Lakers then adto nalang na e offer ni Ron Artest.

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"Ron's tight with Kobe," Bauman said. "From a basketball perspective, the Lakers make perfect sense. Ron is a winner. His best fit is when he's on a winning team. He shoots the three, posts up smaller guys, and defensively he's a beast. Certainly those are skills a contending team would find attractive."

Word out of Houston is both sides want to keep Artest in Texas and locally any need for him is totally dependent on what happens in the Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza negotiations, but in business, as in all things, it's always important to have a Plan B, right? Clearly Bauman agrees.

[EvenStar]

karon napod taud2x update ta kay im twittering with Ramona Shelburne's Lakers Twitter feed.

[fish]

if di gud siya mo sign sa e offer sa Lakers then Ariza can go pero sayang siya kay naa baya siya potential ma star player.if gamayan siya sa e offer sa Lakers then adto nalang na e offer ni Ron Artest.

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"Ron's tight with Kobe," Bauman said. "From a basketball perspective, the Lakers make perfect sense. Ron is a winner. His best fit is when he's on a winning team. He shoots the three, posts up smaller guys, and defensively he's a beast. Certainly those are skills a contending team would find attractive."

Word out of Houston is both sides want to keep Artest in Texas and locally any need for him is totally dependent on what happens in the Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza negotiations, but in business, as in all things, it's always important to have a Plan B, right? Clearly Bauman agrees.

hehehe! exactly!!! great plan B... it would perhaps make us better. but then... mas dili na lang kaayo bata atong lineup, kung wala si ariza. kay medyo dako naman ug edad ni si artest. but for the sake of repeat... lets go lakers!!!

[ManWhore]

Cavs are also pursuing Artest after Villanueva and the Pistons have reached a verbal agreement.

[tackielarla]

Updated: July 1, 2009, 10:42 PM ET
Sources: Ariza may leave Lakers

By Chris Broussard
ESPN.com

Trevor Ariza's short but sweet stay in Los Angeles might be coming to an end.


Ariza

The 24-year-old swingman, who played a key role in the Lakers' run to their 15th NBA championship, is on the verge of leaving the club, sources close to the situation said on Wednesday.

With at least five teams pursuing Ariza, the Lakers are currently unwilling to pay him more than the $5.6 million mid-level exception.

"They're letting him go," one of the sources said.

Cleveland is making a hard push for Ariza, and the Cavaliers' coaching staff was speaking with him on Wednesday. While Cleveland can only offer the mid-level as well, Ariza's disappointment with the Lakers' stance has moved other suitors ahead of his current team.

The Rockets, Clippers, Raptors and Blazers are also showing interest in Ariza. Portland and Toronto could each offer more than the mid-level exception.

If the Lakers refuse to increase their offer, it's a clear indication that they are choosing their other big free agent forward, Lamar Odom, over the younger Ariza.

Ariza averaged 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds in the regular season for the Lakers last season. He increased his scoring to 11.3 points and had 4.2 rebounds per game in the playoffs. He had 16 points and 15 points in the last two Lakers victories in the Finals.

Those numbers were a jump over his career averages of 6.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Ariza has played for three teams in his five-year career.
Chris Broussard covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine.

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T'was good while it lasted.

[ManWhore]

That's sad news for us..