Cook, Evans to Orlando for Ariza

Just found out that the Lakers traded Brian Cook and Maurice Evans to the Orlando Magic for Trevor Ariza.

I really have no idea what type of player Ariza is. But Tom Ziller from the Fanhouse seems to think that the Lakers got the best of the swap:

Ariza's a quality young fellow. He played well over the course of last season and is a vicious rebounder for his position. He can't shoot, so he doesn't; this is an underrated asset in a young (he's 22) player. And he's quite cheap -- cheaper than the older and less-good Cook -- at about $5.6 million over the next two years (with 2008-09 being a player option). Cook, on the other hand, makes $10 million over the next three years. (Evans' $1.5 million contract comes off the books this summer.)

So, Dennis Rodman-ish, then? Either way, the Lakers cut some salary.

But I am a little bummed about losing Maurice Evans. I liked his athleticism and effort, especially on the defensive end. He showed some flashes of some pretty decent scoring ability as well. He will definitely be missed.

L8RZ!

As for losing Cook, I think this is good for both parties, the Lakers and Cookie himself. Cook always just seemed like the guy without a role on the Lakers. For everything Brian Cook brought to the table (and trust me, it wasn't much), someone brought it better. Poor Brian was ever the understudy in this play that we call the LakeShow. The Soft Shooting Bigman will be played by Vlad Radmanovich. The Hustling Rebounding Bigman will be played by Ronny Turiaf. The Versatile Tweener Bigman will be played by Lamar Odom. The Socks in the Shower Wearing Road Trip Hotel Room Masturbating Bigman will be played by Andew Bynum. Etc. Etc. To summarize, if Phil ever felt the need to send an expendable body to go goon it up in garbage time, it would have been Cook. At least now, he gets a fresh start where his shooting will be viewed as a premium and his defensive/rebounding/hustling shortcomings are masked by the force that is Dwight Howard.

Goodbye and good luck to the both of them.

Come with me, Kobe.
I can't.
But, what will I do without you?
I...I don't know. But let's not think about that now. Let's just...