Well I was at dinner and got bombarded by text messages from many people regarding the free agency status of Trevor Ariza. According to reports from Chris Broussard, Ariza feels disrespected by the Lakers offer of the mid-level exception (MLE). The MLE would equate to a salary of $5.6 million per year. Ariza made $3 million last year and now his salary would nearly double. That is disrespectful? The Lakers are the only reason you are in this situation, Trevor. 2 other franchises (Knicks and Magic) gave up on you and traded you away for nothing. The Lakers gave you a chance and you shined. We hired a special shooting coach (Craig Hodges) just to improve your 3 point shot and you still feel disrespected? The greatest coach of all time trusts you to play in 4th quarters of the biggest games of your career and you feel disrespected? This is your team Trevor and this is your home.You went to UCLA and went to Westchester high in LA as well. You will never be more beloved by another fan base and I promise you that Trevor. If you leave for another team, especially the Cavs and sign for the MLE with them, you will have the largest fan base turn on you in a heart beat. That fan base includes me and I would hate to do it. I love your game and I feel you are better than this. You are the definition of hard work and should be rewarded. Having your salary nearly double is very rewarding. I am certainly taking the Lakers side on this one and I sure do hope Mitch has a back up plan, if Trevor does make the biggest mistake of his NBA career.Speaking of that back up plan, I have a perfect solution for the Lakers...Ron Artest. This is a pretty obvious solution for many reasons. Ron Artest is a bigger, stronger and better version of Trevor Ariza. He does virtually all of the same things. Imagine if you are Carmelo Anthony having not only Kobe Bryant body you up, but also having to deal with Ron freaking 
Artest as well. He is a tenacious defender that would add more toughness to an already championship team. Artest is very capable of hitting wide open 3's, which he will have lots of, because Kobe and Pau demand double teams. Another wrinkle to this is Artest is very good friends with Lamar Odom and Kobe. He grew up with Lamar in New York and has played with Lamar many times and on many teams. With the growing sense that Ariza is leaving, that leaves Lamar with about a 100% chance to resign with the Lakers. Also sources have said Artest is in LA and has reached out to Kobe and Lebron to discuss joining with either the Cavs or the Lakers. So Ariza can go ahead and sign with the Cavs and the Lakers will be just as happy, if not happier with Ron Artest.
Artest as well. He is a tenacious defender that would add more toughness to an already championship team. Artest is very capable of hitting wide open 3's, which he will have lots of, because Kobe and Pau demand double teams. Another wrinkle to this is Artest is very good friends with Lamar Odom and Kobe. He grew up with Lamar in New York and has played with Lamar many times and on many teams. With the growing sense that Ariza is leaving, that leaves Lamar with about a 100% chance to resign with the Lakers. Also sources have said Artest is in LA and has reached out to Kobe and Lebron to discuss joining with either the Cavs or the Lakers. So Ariza can go ahead and sign with the Cavs and the Lakers will be just as happy, if not happier with Ron Artest. 
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