News - Trevor Ariza
IRVINE, Calif., May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Andre Ethier, whose bat has been on fire since opening day, has earned the top spot on the list of Rising Sports Stars to watch in the month of May.
Chris Andersen, who helped Denver reach the Western Conference finals last season, was locked into a multiyear contract by the Nuggets Wednesday. The Denver Post reported the deal was for five years and, with incentives, could be worth as much as $26 million. Andersen missed all of the 2006-07 season for violating the NBA's drug policy and he played just five games with Orlando the next season. He signed as a free agent with Denver for 2008-09 and became a major part of the Nuggets' success. We're thrilled to be able to bring Chris back, said Mark Warkentien, Denver's vice president of basketball operations.
Free agent forward Trevor Ariza of the LA Lakers has signed a contract with the Rockets, swapping places with forward Ron Artest, the Houston Chronicle said. The newspaper reported being told by an undisclosed source the 6-foot-8 Ariza, 24, signed a five-year, $33 million deal late Thursday. The 6-foot-7 inch Artest, 29, had told ESPN Thursday he has reached a verbal agreement with the Lakers and will play for the mid-level exception, roughly $18 million for three years. Artest added the Lakers jumped at the chance to give him a multiyear deal when Houston offered him only a one-year contract. The Lakers really made me feel wanted, Artest told the Chronicle.
Ron Artest has decided to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, the free agent forward told CBSsports.com in a text message. Artest said in the message he was in Los Angeles to complete a deal with the Lakers and he did not care about the money. The Los Angeles Times reported the Lakers could pay Artest as much as $32 million over five seasons, which would actually be a pay cut.