Lakers Rumors: Former Lakers that should rejoin the team this season

Trevor Ariza

Trevor Ariza was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers from 2008-2009. In the season and a half that Ariza played for Los Angeles, he definitely made an impact far greater than expected and was a key component in the Lakers 2009 Championship run. Ariza has been away for eight years now and is entering the twilight of his career, however, that shouldn’t stop the relationship from reforming.

Since leaving the Lakers Ariza has enjoyed stints with the Rockets (twice), Pelicans (at the time still the Hornets) and the Washington Wizards. Dating back to 2013 Ariza has become an everyday starter in the league as he has only missed six games in that span and every game he did play in he was in the starting five.

Not to mention that Rob Pelinka, the Lakers General Manager, is still Ariza’s agent and could work his Magic (pun intended) to get his client on the Lakers. Not only does this make sense in that aspect, this makes sense for the Lakers logistically as well.

Los Angeles is pretty thin behind Brandon Ingram. Although talks have emerged about Kyle Kuzma playing small forward, the Lakers would benefit far greater from getting a natural small forward to back up Ingram. Sure, they do have Luol Deng, but all signs seem to be pointing to his departure.

What makes this deal even sweeter is Ariza’s contract. Ariza is on an expiring deal, meaning the Lakers could orchestrate some sort of three-team deal to land Ariza from the Rockets while getting rid of a long-term contract such as Jordan Clarkson.

While Ariza has called Houston his home for the past three seasons and is a key component in that starting five, it would not be a bad thing to bring the forward back to LA.