After reportedly leaving money on the table to leave the Warriors and join the Lakers in free agency for a better chance at a ring, Kent Bazemore’s belief in the organization and roster was already put on full display. That enthusiasm was present as he was reintroduced as a Laker on Monday, but it was one of the players he specifically mentioned that was interesting.
Among the parade of former Lakers to return to Los Angeles this summer, Trevor Ariza was one who caught Bazemore’s eye. One of the original 3-and-D players in the modern era of basketball, Ariza was seen by Bazemore as a player to learn from given his similar playing style.