Rockets to Offer MLE to Ariza

[College Boy]

I haven't seen this posted up yet
http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60286/20090702/rockets_meet_with_ariza_prepared_to_offer_mle/

According to Twitter posts from Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets met with Trevor Ariza in Las Vegas on Thursday and are expected to offer a multi-year deal at the mid-level exception.

The deal would not preclude Houston from also keeping Ron Artest, according to sources.

[MaxRider]

what are we going to do with all these small forwards? battier, artest, ariza?

[langer]

what are we going to do with all these small forwards? battier, artest, ariza?

this means Artest is not gonna return.

[MaxRider]

what are we going to do with all these small forwards? battier, artest, ariza?

this means Artest is not gonna return.

The deal would not preclude Houston from also keeping Ron Artest, according to sources.

sign-and-trade him to cleveland for big z

c - big z, hayes, dorsey
pf - scola, landry
sf - battier
sg - ariza, barry, taylor
pg - brooks, lowry

come playoff time

c - yao, big z
pf - scola, landry
sf - battier, ariza
sg - t-mac, barry, taylor
pg - brooks, lowry

[College Boy]

Do you think Z would take a backseat role like that? He's already starting for a contender.

[RayStats34]

Do you think Z would take a backseat role like that? He's already starting for a contender.

Trevor Ariza is probably going to take over the shooting guard spot with either battier or artest starting at small forward... I think this means Mcgrady is getting traded sooner than later

[sweet_jesus]

this i probably just Ariza and his agent trying th call LA bluff. Giving them an ultimatum give us want we want or we are leaving.

[MaxRider]

Do you think Z would take a backseat role like that? He's already starting for a contender.

you think he's going to backup shaq or shaq backing him?

[College Boy]

Touche.... I forgot all about that acquisition.

[MaxRider]

nevermind artest is going to l.a.

i'm hoping brad newley can play in nba next season

[TMU]

Like Ariza is going to take the MLE. The man wants to get paid. Don't get your hopes up.

[doctaJ_92]

Without Yao, isnt signing Ariza completely useless because there wont be anyone to get him AND Battier shots? You'll have no offence in your starting lineup. Wont the best move to improve the Rockets be rebuilding, or trading for a scorer at SG? Isnt having two 8-10 PPG defensive minded SFs together redundant?

[Alex_De_Large]

So we are rebuilding after all?

[Telfaire]

Wrong Laker to go after. You need Shannon Brown, he's a scorer who can create his own shot.

[eagles nut]

I don't mean any disrespect here, but does it really make any sense for Houston to sign anyone beyond one year? Mad props for giving the Lakers as much of a challenge without Yao as you did, but with Yao likely out this year and a lot of your contracts ending after this season doesn't it make more sense to try to shed future payroll and maximize 2010 cap space than to give big money to essentially a nice role player with upside. You guys have Battier, it's not like you're hurting at SF. You could use depth but don't need to spend the MLE to get it. Center is a lot bigger need.

[TMACFORMVP]

He won't come here, and frankly with everything falling apart, and having Battier, he's not worth the full MLE for 5 years for us. I really like him as a player, but it won't happen, so w/e.

[Tranman409]

I wish I didn't live in southeast texas. So depress right now

[Sports Arsenal]

Wiretap says he is nearing a decision and we appear to be the favorite.

[TMU]

I wish I didn't live in southeast texas. So depress right now

It is a **** feeling. I don't know how effective Artest will be in LA, but it pains me to see him go to a team that I hate.

[TMU]

According to a Twitter post by Adrian Wojnarowski, sources say Trevor Ariza is nearing a decision in free agency.

Houston is the favorite, but Cleveland is in play and the Trail Blazers are also making a late run.

Portland just joined the race. We're not getting him.