clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Rockets to sign Trevor Ariza to 4 year, $32 million deal

The Rockets have signed Trevor Ariza to a four year deal. The plot thickens in free agency.

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

About 24 hours after Chris Bosh decided he would be returning to Miami and spurning the Rockets, Daryl Morey has turned around and made his next move, signing Trevor Ariza to a four year, $32 million deal. Ariza had an excellent season last year, averaging 14.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and shooting 40% from behind the arc.

Here's Amick's report:

I don't know what this means for the Chandler Parsons offer sheet, but I can't say I like this move. With it, Morey has decided to give another massive deal to Trevor Ariza after a career season in a contract year. The last time he did that he was lucky enough to get out of it as New Orleans bailed him out. Now, with Ariza approaching 30 and commanding an even higher salary, it's not clear whether he'll get another chance if Ariza fails.

Despite my objections to the deal, I can see where the Rockets are coming from. Parsons, at $45 million over three years is not a good value at all, and Ariza arguably outperformed him last season. Parsons is younger and has more room to grow, but I would agree that Ariza at $8 million a year is preferable to Parsons at $15 million. If the Rockets match Parsons' deal and keep Ariza, they will be spending a ton of money at a position without an elite player.

If Ariza can match his production from last year, he'll be worth this deal. The reason I don't love it is that I just don't see him doing that for four more years.