NBA Trade Rumors 2018: Trevor Ariza Moves Back to the Lakers, Leaving Suns Next Week?

This month, another round of opportunities for NBA organizations to shop for players they think can help them boost their chances with the playoffs approaching. One of the highly mentioned name in NBA trade rumors is Phoenix Suns’ Trevor Ariza. Added to that, there are many speculations that the Suns might eventually strike a deal with Ariza’s former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

In Dec. 15, negotiations for NBA trade deals are expected to begin especially with players who inked deals with their current teams a free agent earlier this year. Marc Stein reported that Ariza is “at the top of the list of players who will be made available via trade” next week.

Ariza will not be the first player that the Suns would let go this season. Tyson Chandler had already been traded to the LA Lakers recently. Stein added that the teams eyeing for Ariza are hoping he will leave via buyout but that is an unlikely move from the Suns.

As mentioned, one of the commonly rumored landing team for Ariza is the Lakers. Bleacher Report speculates that if Ariza is signing with his former team, the Suns could be gunning for Wade Baldwin IV, Maurice Harkless and their 2021 second-round pick in return.

However, Ariza might have already hinted that Lakers is not the way to go for him. “My role is different than [Paul George] and [Kawhi Leonard]. They ask them to do different things than they ask of me. Guys similar to [LeBron James], why would they want to play with somebody who does all the same things? I can see why they would want to play elsewhere,” Ariza said (via Bleacher Report).

Meanwhile, another NBA trade rumor suggests that Ariza could go back to Los Angeles but for the Clippers team and not the Lakers. Thought the Clippers currently have a good standing in the league, taking Ariza in can fortify their defense department and maybe help them for their playoffs run.