What Will Trevor Ariza Contribute To The Kings?

The Kings made some low-risk moves during free agency to surround their core, provide depth, and obtain veteran leadership. Trevor Ariza was one of those players.

One of the free-agent signings that the Sacramento Kings made in the offseason was Trevor Ariza. He is a seasoned veteran that has been in the rotation for multiple strong teams, and has plenty of playoff experience as well as a championship ring.

Ariza is a small forward who last played for the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns during the 2018-2019 season, averaging 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on 33% 3-point shooting. He has 15 years of NBA experience, playing with the Los Angeles Lakers championship team in 2008-2009, as well as with James Harden and the Rockets in their best years.

Overall, Ariza can help the Kings in many different ways, providing much-needed 3 point shooting, leaking out for open layups, some playmaking, and some shooting off the dribble. He also has shown that he can be a good defender by contesting shots and making them difficult.

What Can Ariza Provide to the Kings Already?

Trevor Ariza is particularly good at corner-threes, as seen when he was on the Rockets. Ariza was one of the reasons why the Rockets were such a hard team to guard because of the way they could shoot threes and stretch the floor.

This video shows an example of how his shooting is a weapon. He scored 16 points, hitting four 3-pointers and provided one fast-break basket for the Rockets in January 2016 against the Mavs.

With Ariza’s spectacular solid history of shooting, it comes as no surprise that he can score in a hurry. He has the potential to have some 40-point games such as one that he had with the Wizards back in the 2014 season. With Sacramento, however, he will be more of a bench player providing minutes whenever needed.

Ariza’s potential to run on the fast break makes him a weapon on offense as well, even though he might not be athletic as he was in 2007. He still utilizes his speed, which will come in handy in the Kings fast-paced offense.

He has also been a good defender throughout his career, getting steals whenever he has a chance.

Here is another example of a block he gets on Jarrett Allen.

Here is a dream play that the Kings could use a lot this season, where Ariza swats Donovan Mitchell, runs the floor and gets an open three.

Ariza also shows that he can make plays and set-up his teammates. Last season on this play he set up Deandre Ayton by penetrating into the paint and making a wrap-around pass.

What Can Ariza Work On?

At age 34, Ariza does need to be consistent off the bench for the Kings this season. Even if he is not receiving the minutes he believes he deserves, that shouldn’t stop him from spreading his wisdom to the younger guys on the roster. He can share what he has learned on how to become a cohesive unit and good playoff team, and about what he learned from his time with the Rockets and the Lakers, or what he learned in particular from Kobe Bryant.