Los Angeles Lakers Land Ron Artest; Trevor Ariza Joins the Houston Rockets

On July 2, 2009, small forward Ron Artest, who spent last season plying his trade for the Houston Rockets, announced that he will be signing for the Los Angeles Lakers. That same day, Trevor Ariza, former small forward of the Los Angeles Lakers, verbally agreed to a contract with the Houston Rockets. The Rockets were also trying to sign Magic big man Marcin Gortat, but decided to give up when news broke that Gortat verbally agreed to a contract with the Dallas Mavericks.

It is believed that Ron Artest signed a three-year, $18 million deal with the Lakers. However, there have been conflicting reports that the contract is actually five years for $33 million. Meanwhile, Trevor Ariza signed a five-year, $33 million deal with the Rockets.

Artest's agent, David Bauman, said that the biggest reason Artest signed with the Lakers was because of his hunger for a championship. On the other end of the spectrum, Ariza, who already won a ring this past season with the Lakers, cited his family as the main reason behind cashing in on a big contract.

Both deals help each team. Artest moved to the Rockets last season as part of a salary dump from the Rockets, who gave up Bobby Jackson, Donté Greene, a 2009 first-round draft pick, and cash considerations. His addition to the Lakers lineup will improve the team defensively, and would overall make a championship team better, as long as they re-sign Lamar Odom.

Trevor Ariza is essentially a slightly lesser version of Artest. Like Artest, Ariza is able to defend quite well, as well as pull back and hit a three-pointer. Ariza brings youth to a rebuilding Rockets team, who have been hit quite often with the injury bug, with center Yao Ming being the latest victim. Ariza is also a very athletic player, who is able to catch the opposing teams defense off guard on fast breaks, as well as creating highlight reel dunks.

The Rockets have reportedly been shopping shooting guard Tracy McGrady to the Philadelphia Sixers. McGrady's contract expires after this season, and the Rockets have been said to be looking at Sixers center Samuel Dalembert, who is on the trading block. Dalembert would provide cover for Yao Ming, who might end up missing the entire 2009-10 season due to injuries.

In other notable free agency news, Marcin Gortat, the backup center for the Orlando Magic, verbally agreed to a contract with the Dallas Mavericks. The offer is believed to be worth the Mavericks MLE (mid-level exception). That means Gortat will earn at least $5 million in the first year of a five year contract.

Sources

Marc Stein Artest's Lakers deal estimated at $18M ESPN.com

Marc Stein Ariza verbally commits to Houston ESPN.com

Marc Stein Committed? Gortat to tour Mavs' facility ESPN.com

Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner Lakers get Artest; Ariza agrees with Rockets LATimes.com

Martin Frank Dalembert's future murky CourierPostOnline.com