Swapping Artest for Ariza should not "seem" like an upgrade...it is a massive upgrade. Ariza is a punk. He averaged 8 points per game during the season, about 11 during the playoffs, and played really, really well the last two games of the finals. I don't know, maybe it's me, but that reeks of Tim Thomas circa 2000.
Anyone who pays more than 4 mil a year will be wondering when that contract is up after the first month.
As I have said before, it is not that hard for role players to look really nice when playing with all-pro players like Kobe and LeBron. Just think of all of the Spurs castoffs who looked like champs playing alongside Duncan, guys like Nazr Mohammod and Rasho Nesterovich, only to sign mid level albatross deals that teams immediatly regretted. Ariza will be one of these, as will Hedo, as will Varejo. On the flip side look at Mo Williams; on our team he is a malcontent and is expendable...playing with LeKing makes him an allstar, this is not an accident, trust me.
Artest is an allstar talent with LOCK DOWN defense. There are many people who have a good reputation for defense...Artest is the real deal and is the closest thing to a human pit bull as there is. Barring injuries, I say the Lakers will challenge for the victories record next year. The great thing about this is that it prevents LeKing from winning a title and helps ensure that he will go to the Knicks next year.