Reading Rockets Basketball

Trading Trevor

Last year Rockets fans were optimistic after signing athletic swingman Trevor Ariza, fresh off an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now 12 months later, Ariza is gone in a move that is tough to see as anything other than a salary dump. Ariza was traded as part of a 4-team, 5-player deal, with Ariza heading to New Orleans, Darren Collison and James Posey shipping out to Indiana, Troy Murphy moving to New Jersey and Courtney Lee coming back to Houston. In his one season in Houston, Ariza was a major contributor, setting career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game, averaging 14.9, 5.6 and 3.8 respectively. Still only 25 years old, Ariza’s productivity should only increase in the coming years, while providing versatility for the Hornets, capable of playing and guarding both the shooting guard and small forward position.Though the Rockets would no doubt agree that Ariza was a very valuable asset, his contract posed problems for the front office. Signed to a 5-year 33 million deal last off-season, the Rockets used the Disabled Player Exception the league granted them after Yao Ming’s injury in order to afford Ariza’s services. By trading Ariza, the organization will save close to 28 million over the remaining 4 years of Ariza’s contract, sidestepping the luxury tax as well. This summer saw the Rockets shell out some serious cash in resigning Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry, in addition to the free agent acquisition of Brad Miller, all of which meant the brass would have to make tough financial decisions. To their credit, Scola put up much needed numbers in the paint during Yao’s absence, while Miller was brought in primarily as an insurance policy at center in case Yao was unable to return on schedule or at full strength. Lowry, the cheapest of the summer moves, was brought in at the trade deadline last season, spelling starter Aaron Brooks at point guard.Courtney Lee looked to be a high impact player after his rookie season in Orlando, though he suffered from some statistical regression during his second year, spent playing for the struggling Nets. Lee, while not as versatile or well polished as Ariza, will hopefully provide an outside stroke and some scoring at shooting guard.