JULY 6: Ariza’s deal with the Suns is now official, the team confirmed in a press release. “Phoenix was the most aggressive team and the team that showed the most interest in me,” Ariza said today at his introductory press conference. “We all want to feel appreciated and wanted. When a team shows that much appreciation for what you do, naturally you are attracted to something like that.” (Twitter link from Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle).
JUNE 30: The Suns and Trevor Ariza have reached an agreement on a one-year, $15MM contract, reports Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). Phoenix will use most – if not all – of its available cap room to complete the signing.
Ariza, who turns 33 on Saturday, averaged 11.7 PPG and 4.4 RPG with a .368 3PT% in 67 regular-season games for the Rockets. While his season ended on a low note following an 0-for-12 shooting performance in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, the veteran played a key role in Houston, knocking down corner threes and playing excellent perimeter defense. His departure will be a blow to the West’s No. 1 seed.
The Suns, meanwhile, continue to add depth to their frontcourt. In the last two drafts, Phoenix has used lottery picks to add Josh Jackson and Mikal Bridges. The team also locked up T.J. Warren to a long-term extension that will take effect this year.
Given Phoenix’s need in the backcourt, the decision to devote the majority of its available cap room to Ariza is a little surprising. However, three-and-D wings are one of the most coveted assets in the modern NBA, and Ariza will provide veteran locker-room leadership as part of a young Suns roster.
While it’s not clear how the Suns will address their hole at the point, their deal with Ariza could be good news for a team like the Raptors, who had been concerned that Phoenix might sign Fred VanVleet to an aggressive offer sheet, tweets Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun. The Suns seem likely to be in the market for a less expensive point guard now.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Seriously????
Very surprised he didn’t look for a 3 year deal at 30 mil range. Maybe it wasn’t there, but it felt like a good time given the teams that have cap space and the need for 3 and D wings.
If you can get 1 at 15, why take 3 for 30? He should easily be able to top 2 for 15 next year.
Injury risk at this point in the career. Inevitable decline in age 33 – 34 season for defensive minded players. It’s possible he could top 2 for 15 next year, but typically at this age, ‘a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush’.
Oooooo
I hate Ariza. He seems like the kind of guy that would Jason Terry himself a finals trophy tattoo but lose it and still think he’s some sort of missing piece on a championship team. I hope he works out for the sun’s sake but man…
Oh didn’t see it was one year. He’s gonna be their version of JJ redick, but terrible.
Could be a great pick up for the suns. Kind of pricey, but should be a P.O. team this coming season.
Damn.
Expensive af, is that for his defense ?
How do you leave Houston to sign with a bad team like the Suns AND NOT sign a multi-year lucrative contract?
Must not be fun watching dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble…
…Pass to the other point guard, dribble dribble dribble dribble…
lmao mans wanted to get paid for a season, gonna get traded or get waived to sign with a contender. Big chance he ends up with the rockets or the warriors by the playoffs.
Best signing of the off season so far.
Hey Dionis, stick to one account
Free agency is an hour old
Why would you sign Ariza when you have major needs at the 1 and 4 spots and already have Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges, and T.J. Warren ?
Risky move for Ariza though, gets to test the market next year when much more teams have cap room but also might lose value if his production dips and he gets hurt
Bridges is really their only 3, other than Dudley…
Warren is a 3 as well. Jackson can move around, but the point is taken in Philly’s comment, they’re in desperate need of a PG and the move was to solidify that position.
Warren is a scoring 4, and best off the bench
THIS is what the Suns cut Ulis for?
WOW
I don’t see the need at all. The suns are creating a log jam at 2-3 spot. Booker, Bridges, Warren, Jackson, and now Ariza that’s 5 players for 2 spots.
Small ball. 5 players for 4 spots.
They used up their available cap space on THIS guy? What a dumb signing. It’s almost like they WANT to keep losing.
#trusttheprocess
Just another horrible move by McDumma. This guy has no clue and the Owner Sarver is worse.
“Tell me why”
This one is a head scratcher – for both team and player.
The only way this makes sense is if they think they can trade Ariza at the deadline for like a first and a second or a first and a prospect, because otherwise this doesn’t make much sense. And even then, what contender will have 15 million in cap space? I mean maybe you trade him to the Lakers for Deng and 8,000 picks, but I can’t think of any other reason this makes sense.
They’ll trade him back to the rockets at the deadline for Anderson and picks
Or deng and picks
Damn. Ariza cares more about the money rather than having a very good chance of getting a ring.
This is just as much a Rockets decision to clear room for a potential LBJ move.
Suns paying thru the nose…lol
Deng and picks/Wagner for Ariza at the deadline makes too much sense.
And help the Lakers f**K that!