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Ariza deal indicates Rockets looking ahead to 2011
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The Rockets hope Trevor Ariza is better than he has shown.
The Rockets have added Trevor Ariza, the former Laker, as their first big free agent splash.
Apparently it looks like Marcin Gortat is headed elsewhere, so the Rockets turned their attention to Ariza.
Ariza averaged 8.4 and 4.3 rebounds in the regular season for the Lakers. He averaged 11.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in the playoffs.
In Daryl Morey we trust, but this appears like a shaky signing on the surface.
Ariza's stock went up because of the playoff run, but he is a classic role player. He thrived under Phil Jackson and the triangle offense.
The Rockets overpaid for Ariza, giving him their full mid-level exception. He will get $33 million over five years. Obviously they believe he can develop into a better player that one he is right now.
Ariza was a perfect fit on the Lakers -- a role player on a very talented team. On the Rockets, he is joining a team that right now is nothing but role players.
He played solid defense, which is a must on the Rockets. He can hit the three, and he is athletic.
But he is also mediocre.
We would love to endorse the move as typical Morey brilliance. We have a lot of faith in the Rockets front office, but overpaying for a role player is questionable. However, they deserve the benefit of the doubt, even though it appears they overbought for a player who was a product of his basketball environment.
Bigger picture, he is an indication that more and more the Rockets are pointing toward 2011.
Letting Ron Artest leave for the Lakers -- the Rockets reportedly did not want him back -- and replacing him with the 24-year-old Ariza is a move for the future, not the present.
The Rockets still need a functional big man to replace Yao Ming and Gortat is appearing less and less likely. They have no impact players available with Yao out and Tracy McGrady effectively out for the year as well.
As they stand, the Rockets are no match for the top six teams in the Western Conference. In fact, if Yao is indeed done for the year, they are a lottery team. Ariza does nothing to change that.
But there will be money under the cap with McGrady's contract to be used later this summer or during the year. If not, they will have plenty cap room to rebuild next season. So it is always possible another big move is coming.
However, right now, instead of wait 'til next year, it's looking like wait 'til 2011.
