Ariza Goes with Rockets, Lakers Sign Artest

In a swap of free-agent forwards between L.A. and Houston, the Lakers get Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza agreed with the Rockets. Former Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest, who will be 30 in November, agreed to a three-year deal worth approximately $18 million. With Kobe Bryant, who was a first-team All-Defensice selection last season while Artest was second team, and Artest, the Lakers now have two of the NBA’s top defenders. In a statement Artest said, “I am very excited to finally be going to L.A. For years now, the Lakers have expressed interest in having me play for them, but we could never get the stars to align. I’m finally a Laker and I can’t wait to get on the court with Kobe, Pau [Gasol] and the rest of the team, and play for Phil [Jackson]. I look forward to helping the Lakers defend their championship, and I will finally not get booed in the Staples Center.”

Ariza agreed to a deal worth about $33 million with Houston just hours after the Lakers signed Artest and told The Times, “I am happy with me decision. I’m glad this all worked out. The Rockets are going to give me a chance to improve my game and that’s all you can ask for.” David Lee, Ariza’s agent, said the 24-year-old former Lakers forward passsed up another more lucrative offfer from another team (rumored to be Toronto) to go to Houston. Lee also said, “It was never about the money. It was about going someplace where you felt appreciated.” Read the full article at the LATimes.com.

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