Well, Ariza looks like he's gone, but the Lakers could decide to throw their full midlevel at him like the Rockets did. Considering he'd be a starter in Houston I wonder if he'd return to LA to get try and get his second title at age 25 or go for the bigger role, and what would ultimately turn into a bigger third contract.

I think LA can offer him more then anyone else. They can go over the cap to keep him because he's one of their own players. Before the Artest signing word was the Lakers were commuted locking him up. I still think LA needs to address the PG spot. Fisher might be out of Gas and Farmar really did not have the season I expected last year.

But what if they want Odom more? Ariza is gritty, but Odom creates havoc with the matchups.

Technically they could keep both if they were willing to spend the money on luxury tax. If any team would it's the Lakers. I don't know which one I'd choose, Odom is the better player but he has 2-4 years left max where as Arizia has a decade.

I think it depends on how good they think Bynum will be in the next 4 years. If Lakers management feels like they need another frontcourt player and don't want to spend the money to sign both then it's Odom, especially since it seems like the future is now in Los Angeles.

enter shane battier
he did a much better job then artest during their series this year.

phil should just start shannon brown or farmar next year.

Love Shannon Brown, I hope someone signs him.

Ariza's agreed to terms with Houston. It's essentially a swap, except obviously Artest expires sooner.

I hate this move for the Lakers. Artest doesn't fit in the triangle at all, if I was a Laker fan I'd be pretty miffed that they let Ariza go. Hopefully they can keep Odom.

ima pseudo-lakers fan. i am happy about this. there is no question artest is the stronger defender. he is also a guy that can get his own shot. especially for the price they are paying! and i assume odom is coming back.