Trevor Ariza rumors: Chicago Bulls in pursuit
Washington Wizards’ swingman Trevor Ariza had the best season of his career in the 2013-2014 season.
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As a free agent, Ariza cleared picked right time to have that type of a season. Once the top free agents, Miami Heat forward LeBron James and New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony, make a decision about their future, Ariza will be cashing in on his success.
The Wizards would love to keep Ariza, but the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers have all showed at least some interest in signing him with most looking at him as a backup plan.
According to Chris Broussard, you can add the Chicago Bulls to that list.
Houston weighing whether to match Parsons or go for Ariza at lower price. Wash, ATL, LAL, LAC, CHI also interested in Ariza
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 10, 2014
Ariza was the perfect compliment to rest of the Wizards’ starting lineup that featured two solid big men in Nene and Marcin Gortat, who just agreed to a five-year, $60 million deal, an all-star point guard in John Wall and another potential all-star guard in Bradley Beal. Ariza is said to be looking for a deal that resembles the four-year, $48 million deal swingman Andre Iguodala signed with the Golden State Warriors last season. The Bulls could afford to pay Ariza that much money if they so choose (but probably won’t) while the Wizards would have trouble dishing out that kind of money.
Ariza went for 14.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He shot 45.6% from the field, 40.7% from beyond the arc and 77.2% from the free throw line.