The Lakers Need Trevor Ariza, and Trevor Ariza Needs the Lakers

For the past two days, I have been hearing reports about Trevor Ariza leaving the Lakers. The reason he is about to leave is because the Lakers are refusing to give him more than the mid-level exception, which is $5.36 million. The new contract would give Ariza about a $2 million dollar raise.

While contract talks continue with the Lakers saying they won’t budge and Ariza feeling disrespected, the two sides need to realize something. They need each other.

No one had any clue who Ariza was before he came to L.A. last season. Ariza was coming off the bench in Orlando and not receiving much playing time. Once Ariza was traded to L.A. and paired up with Kobe Bryant and eventually Pau Gasol, he started to show real potential.

Before getting hurt durin...

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