Phoenix Suns 2018-19 Preview: Trevor Ariza

Trevor Ariza will suit up for the Phoenix Suns this season after signing with the team in free agency. What should we expect from the seasoned veteran entering his 15th year in the league?

T-minus about two weeks until the start of the new season. With a nearly reconstructed roster, there are a lot of new faces on this squad along with a new mentality. One major acquisition will be key to the new mindset of the team.

He’s entering his 15th season and this will be his seventh team.

That’s quite a trek for a former second round pick.

That is Trevor Ariza.

Depending who you ask, some may say he was underappreciated on the Houston Rockets during his four-year tenure there. The front office in Phoenix showed their appreciation by inking him to a $15 million deal this summer.

Many were surprised by the move on both sides of the deal, as he goes from the team with the best record in the league (65-17) to the team with the worst record in the league (21-61). But, with Phoenix trying to build a winning culture he’s exactly the type of player and talent needed.

Sometimes, it’s about how much you care and how much appreciation you show someone. A large pay check helps too.

His playing time (33.9 minutes per game last season) will likely go down as the Suns have players like Josh Jackson, T.J. Warren and Mikal Bridges playing similar roles on the floor.

However, he should have a solid role as a starting forward. With the team trying to win more games and the other guys being younger and less experienced he should still get plenty of run.

His durability will also be a factor. Over the last five seasons he missed a total of 23 games. That’s impressive for any player. When you’re talking about a 33-year-old that puts all he has on the floor, that’s quite a feat.

Expect something similar to his 2017-18 averages of 11.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. With him coming to the Suns and being paid to help the youth here and show all he’s got it wouldn’t be too much of a reach to expect a career year from him. In 2009-10 he put up 14.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. That’s not too far fetched stat wise.

He’s an excellent role player, with his prototype 3-and-D game being perfectly exhibited as if it was made in a lab. Ariza is a solid complimentary scorer and has the ability to guard several positions on the court – often given the challenge of covering the opposing team’s best scorer. His 3-point shooting (36.8% accuracy last season with 2.5 made treys per game) will help with spacing. His overall style of play will be a tremendous help to Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.

He ranked in the top-20 in both steals and 3-pointers made last season. Only Stephen Curry and Paul George had more steals with more triples on higher accuracy.

How’s that for good company?

Tyson Chandler has voiced that he would like another veteran and leader on the roster with him. This was a great add in that respect as well. He’s a seasoned veteran with solid leadership. Chandler’s 75 career playoff games no longer lead the team. Ariza has 102 under his belt.

Like one of my fellow writers stated, Jared Dudley was big on holding players accountable. Ariza will not let that attribute dip at the slightest.

He will give his all and not ever let the young guys quit.

Trevor was the 43rd overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. He’s the only second round pick still standing. Actually, out of all the players selected that year he’s arguably one of the three best remaining.

Yes, the price tag was a bit steep but it’s only a one year deal and for a player with his mindset, leadership and on court contributions, it’s probably what it took to get him to come to a team in the phase the Suns are in.

He also brings knowledge of what it takes to get to the promise land and obtain the ultimate goal, winning a title with the LA Lakers in 2009.

Trevor will be a great mentor to the youth on this team, especially the ones that play the same position. He will be a great guy to learn from. He will not only be able to show them what it takes to stick in this league, but he’ll also be able to take them under his wing and help them develop their skills. His mindset will help build a winning culture in Phoenix.

He will help turn a team not known for ever playing defense really to become a team that plays hard nosed grinders on that side of the ball. The Suns had the worst defensive rating out of all 30 teams last season. That will surely change with him on board.

Hey, if it doesn’t work out the way one would hope there’s always the option of using his large expiring contract in a deal for a disgruntled star before the deadline.

But, let’s not look at it that way.

Ariza is the exact type of player this team needed at this time. A vet that can be a solid factor, mentor the youth, help change the mindset and turn these Suns into a winning team. Learn the name. If you don’t already. He’s about to make you respect his game.