With one win away from being crowned NBA Champions, the Golden State Warriors may already have their minds in offseason mode.
According to reports, the Warriors are eyeing small forward Trevor Ariza to improve their depth for next season. Although Kevin Durant has the starting job on lock, Ariza could put in valuable minutes off the bench. It is expected that Ariza would take a pay cut in exchange for a real chance at a championship.
Ariza put together an impressive 2018 campaign, averaging 11.7 points 1.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game alongside stars James Harden and Chris Paul. He also earned a vote to an All-NBA team.
Apparently Trevor Ariza's mom is on the panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who vote for the All-NBA teams: pic.twitter.com/bnlkbKZZKK
— Kim Bhasin (@KimBhasin) May 24, 2018
The addition of Ariza wouldn’t improve the Warriors tremendously, but it would weaken their biggest competitor in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets. His ability to lock down opposing offensive threats is essential for a Rockets team that otherwise lacks defensive stoppers.
This trend needs to stop. Too many players in the NBA today have no loyalty whatsoever in their respective franchises and instead will leave the first chance they get to add a ring to their trophy case. The example that immediately comes to mind is LeBron James decision to join the Heat. He was unable to win a ring as a member of the Cavs, so instead of staying with his hometown team and building a contender, he chose to spurn Cleveland and sign with the Heat to join superstars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Then there is the case of Kevin Durant. Durant was already on a competitive Thunder team. In fact, Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden were all playing together for Oklahoma City in 2011.
Whatever happened to players like Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant who stayed with their franchise’s their entire career? Those days are apparently in the rear-view mirror.
Featured Image Via Flickr/Keith Allison
